Sturgeons are among the most endangered animals globally. Once plentiful along the Atlantic coast, the shortnose sturgeon suffered severe population declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. In 1973, it was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, as the Hudson River—its key habitat—was heavily polluted and oxygen-deprived.
What is the largest freshwater fish?
Sturgeon are the largest of the freshwater fish. The beluga sturgeon in Russia is the largest freshwater fish in the world. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. White sturgeon have been reported to reach lengths of 15-20 feet and weights of nearly one ton. The second largest freshwater fish in North America is the alligator gar.
Related
Are sturgeon and catfish related? Are sturgeon and catfish related?
No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...
Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state? Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?
Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Are lamprey and hagfish related? Are lamprey and hagfish related?
Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for 'no jaws'). Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile
Shannon White Holding Shortnose Sturgeon
Sturgeons are among the most endangered animals globally. Once plentiful along the Atlantic coast, the shortnose sturgeon suffered severe population declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. In 1973, it was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, as the Hudson River—its key habitat—was heavily polluted and oxygen-deprived.
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeonThe pallid sturgeon is a threatened species in the U.S. that lives mainly in the Missouri and lower Mississippi rivers. While research has provided valuable insights into its biology and ecology in these main rivers, there are still significant gaps in understanding how the sturgeon uses and depends on their tributaries.
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeonThe pallid sturgeon is a threatened species in the U.S. that lives mainly in the Missouri and lower Mississippi rivers. While research has provided valuable insights into its biology and ecology in these main rivers, there are still significant gaps in understanding how the sturgeon uses and depends on their tributaries.
DaveShannonSturgeon.jpg
Dr. Shannon Smith and Dr. Dave Kazyak hold a large Atlantic sturgeon prior to release in the Hudson River.
Dr. Shannon Smith and Dr. Dave Kazyak hold a large Atlantic sturgeon prior to release in the Hudson River.
Juvenile Lake Sturgeon
Juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) caught in a sea lamprey net in November 2023 in the Sturgeon River in northern Michigan. Photo credit: Ed Benzer, USGS.
Juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) caught in a sea lamprey net in November 2023 in the Sturgeon River in northern Michigan. Photo credit: Ed Benzer, USGS.
Measuring A Lake Sturgeon
Measuring a Lake Sturgeon in Cayuga Lake as part of the Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan for New York State, written in 2018. Lake sturgeon can live for more than 100 years and grow to seven feet in length, making them the largest freshwater fish in New York.
Measuring a Lake Sturgeon in Cayuga Lake as part of the Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan for New York State, written in 2018. Lake sturgeon can live for more than 100 years and grow to seven feet in length, making them the largest freshwater fish in New York.
Baby Sturgeon
Take in the S.O.Conte Fish Research Lab O'Day Wet Lab. Baby Sturgeon hatched & brought in from Canada
Take in the S.O.Conte Fish Research Lab O'Day Wet Lab. Baby Sturgeon hatched & brought in from Canada
Lake Sturgeon in Genesee River, NY
A USGS scientist holds a five-year-old stocked lake sturgeon recaptured during a survival assessment in the Genesee River, New York.
A USGS scientist holds a five-year-old stocked lake sturgeon recaptured during a survival assessment in the Genesee River, New York.
Pallid sturgeon
The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) initiated a study on how its water operations influence fishes in the Missouri River basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. Of utmost concern is the effect of these operations on the spawning success and recruitment of endangered pallid sturgeon.
The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) initiated a study on how its water operations influence fishes in the Missouri River basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. Of utmost concern is the effect of these operations on the spawning success and recruitment of endangered pallid sturgeon.
Are sturgeon really the largest freshwater fish?
Listen to hear the answer.
Related
Are sturgeon and catfish related? Are sturgeon and catfish related?
No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...
Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state? Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?
Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Are lamprey and hagfish related? Are lamprey and hagfish related?
Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for 'no jaws'). Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile
Shannon White Holding Shortnose Sturgeon
Sturgeons are among the most endangered animals globally. Once plentiful along the Atlantic coast, the shortnose sturgeon suffered severe population declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. In 1973, it was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, as the Hudson River—its key habitat—was heavily polluted and oxygen-deprived.
Sturgeons are among the most endangered animals globally. Once plentiful along the Atlantic coast, the shortnose sturgeon suffered severe population declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. In 1973, it was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, as the Hudson River—its key habitat—was heavily polluted and oxygen-deprived.
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeonThe pallid sturgeon is a threatened species in the U.S. that lives mainly in the Missouri and lower Mississippi rivers. While research has provided valuable insights into its biology and ecology in these main rivers, there are still significant gaps in understanding how the sturgeon uses and depends on their tributaries.
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeonThe pallid sturgeon is a threatened species in the U.S. that lives mainly in the Missouri and lower Mississippi rivers. While research has provided valuable insights into its biology and ecology in these main rivers, there are still significant gaps in understanding how the sturgeon uses and depends on their tributaries.
DaveShannonSturgeon.jpg
Dr. Shannon Smith and Dr. Dave Kazyak hold a large Atlantic sturgeon prior to release in the Hudson River.
Dr. Shannon Smith and Dr. Dave Kazyak hold a large Atlantic sturgeon prior to release in the Hudson River.
Juvenile Lake Sturgeon
Juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) caught in a sea lamprey net in November 2023 in the Sturgeon River in northern Michigan. Photo credit: Ed Benzer, USGS.
Juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) caught in a sea lamprey net in November 2023 in the Sturgeon River in northern Michigan. Photo credit: Ed Benzer, USGS.
Measuring A Lake Sturgeon
Measuring a Lake Sturgeon in Cayuga Lake as part of the Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan for New York State, written in 2018. Lake sturgeon can live for more than 100 years and grow to seven feet in length, making them the largest freshwater fish in New York.
Measuring a Lake Sturgeon in Cayuga Lake as part of the Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan for New York State, written in 2018. Lake sturgeon can live for more than 100 years and grow to seven feet in length, making them the largest freshwater fish in New York.
Baby Sturgeon
Take in the S.O.Conte Fish Research Lab O'Day Wet Lab. Baby Sturgeon hatched & brought in from Canada
Take in the S.O.Conte Fish Research Lab O'Day Wet Lab. Baby Sturgeon hatched & brought in from Canada
Lake Sturgeon in Genesee River, NY
A USGS scientist holds a five-year-old stocked lake sturgeon recaptured during a survival assessment in the Genesee River, New York.
A USGS scientist holds a five-year-old stocked lake sturgeon recaptured during a survival assessment in the Genesee River, New York.
Pallid sturgeon
The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) initiated a study on how its water operations influence fishes in the Missouri River basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. Of utmost concern is the effect of these operations on the spawning success and recruitment of endangered pallid sturgeon.
The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) initiated a study on how its water operations influence fishes in the Missouri River basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. Of utmost concern is the effect of these operations on the spawning success and recruitment of endangered pallid sturgeon.
Are sturgeon really the largest freshwater fish?
Listen to hear the answer.
Updated Date: March 12, 2026