WOE101 Egg collection project for lake sturgeon

FWS biologist Scott Yess(center from the LaCrosse FRO (WI) poses with Randy Zortman (left) White Earth NRD Department, and Joe Hunter (right) from Rainy River First Nation during an egg collection for lake sturgeon. The lake sturgeon’s large size and slow growth cycle left it especially vulnerable to over-harvest, pollution, and development throughout the past century. Populations declined to the point where Indian tribes, which depend on the lake sturgeon for subsistence, could no longer conduct their harvest. The Service now provides technical assistance, expertise, and training in the wildlife & fisheries management to restore and maintain this native population. Photo taken: 5/16/2001 ELECTRONIC IMAGE ONLY