November 4, 2025 | Repost from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation FB
On October 15th DEC, in partnership with the Seneca Nation of Indians and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stocked 1,000 eight-inch lake sturgeon into Cattaraugus Creek for the first time!
This stocking represents the first step of a 25-year plan to reestablish a spawning population of adult lake sturgeon in the creek. Following stocking these fish will leave the creek and head to Lake Erie for several years before (hopefully) returning to spawn as adults. Historically, Lake Erie supported at least 19 spawning populations of lake sturgeon, including Cattaraugus Creek, but today only two populations remain. Due to low populations, fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited in New York State.
Capable of living more than 100 years, lake sturgeon are one of New York State’s largest freshwater fish, sometimes reaching lengths of seven feet and weighing more than 300 pounds!
