Movement and distribution of Lake Sturgeon in the Coosa River

Lake Sturgeon reintroduction efforts in the Coosa River began 20 years ago. Research conducted 3-5 years after the first stocking occurred indicated that recruits from each year class were surviving and growing. However, total survival of initial stockings was low, and few Lake Sturgeon have been collected by Georgia DNR in subsequent years. Only 88 Lake Sturgeon have been captured since 2008 from over 313,000 fry that have been collectively stocked into the system. This project will inform fisheries managers on the overall success of the reintroduction program by estimating the total population size, determining survival rates, characterizing the age structure, quantifying growth and condition, determining habitat use, and determining [...]