Story at a glance
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service caught a 240-pound sturgeon last week in the Detroit River that could be more than 100 years old.
- The Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office said in a Facebook post that the sturgeon measured at nearly 7 feet, labeling it “a real life river monster.”
- This sturgeon is one of the largest ever recorded in the U.S.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service caught a 240-pound sturgeon last week in the Detroit River that could be more than 100 years old.
The Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office said in a Facebook post that the sturgeon measured at nearly 7 feet, labeling it “a real life river monster.” This sturgeon is one of the largest ever recorded in the U.S, according to the post.
“Based on its girth and size, it is assumed to be a female and that she has been roaming our waters over 100 years,” the post read. “So, she likely hatched in the Detroit River around 1920 when Detroit became the 4th largest city in America.”
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The “once in a lifetime catch” was “quickly released” back into the water after processing.
Commercial fishing of lake sturgeon, which are listed as threatened species in Michigan, is illegal, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The typical lifespan of a female sturgeon can range anywhere from 70 to 100 years. Males typically live about 55 years.
All sturgeon caught in the Detroit River must be immediately released.
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