Sturgeon Identification
Shovelnose sturgeon
- Bases of barbels form a straight line
- Thin scale-like plates on belly
- Long, slender filament on tail (if not broken off)
- Reddish-brown or buff color
- Rarely exceeds 30 inches or 5 pounds
Pallid sturgeon
- Bases of barbels form a crescent
- Skin-like, scaleless belly
- Grayish-white color
- May exceed 30 inches and 10 pounds
- Endangered. If caught, return unharmed to water immediately
Lake sturgeon
- Cone-shaped snout
- Barbels not fringed
- Only two lobes on lower lip
- Sides and back range from dark slate to light brown or yellowish-olive
- White belly
- May reach 8 feet and 300 pounds
- Endangered. If caught, return unharmed to water immediately
Illustrations by Joseph R. Tomelleri. Used with permission.
