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Sturgeon Release Celebrations

Community members and conservation partners are invited to help restore young lake sturgeon into the Saginaw Bay watershed each August and September. At no-cost, participants help release more than 100 native sturgeon into each tributary of the Saginaw River system.

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The juvenile sturgeon released in August come from the Black River in Cheboygan County. They hatched in the river as a result of natural reproduction. In late May, researchers from the Michigan State University Department of Fisheries & Wildlife and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources moved the fish to the Black Lake Streamside Rearing Facility for safekeeping. 

The September fish come from lower Lake Huron near the upper St. Clair River. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reared them at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery in Wisconsin. The young fish spent the summer growing to 4-6 inches in length before their release into the Saginaw River system

At each release event, attendees help release more than 100 native sturgeon. All are welcome to attend. Registration is not required, and there is no-cost to join. 

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For general questions, contact: 

  • Meaghan Gass, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator, gassmeag@msu.edu, (989) 895-4026 ext. 5

  • Mike Kelly, The Conservation Fund, Great Lakes Office, Director, kellym@conservationfund.org, 989-892-9171​​​​​

Tittabawassee River

Where: Bob G. Caldwell Municipal Boat Launch, Midland

Local Host: Chippewa Nature Center. For more information, contact Jennifer Kirts at jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org

Shiawassee River

Where: Cole Park, Chesaning

Local Host: Friends of the Shiawassee River. For more information, contact info@shiawasseeriver.org

Flint River

Where: Paddlers’ Landings Mott Park Recreation Area, Flint

Local Host: Flint River Watershed Coalition. For more information, contact Emily Stetson at estetson@gcparks.org 

Cass River

Where: Gunzenhausen Walkway, Frankenmuth

Local Host: City of Frankenmuth. For more information, contact Matt Bierlein at mbierlein@frankenmuthcity.com    

© 2025 by Saginaw Bay Sturgeon Restoration

A Member of the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network

Saginaw Bay WIN
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