SAGINAW BAY STURGEON RESTORATION
The juvenile sturgeon released on September 4 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 26 sturgeon 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 around100 native sturgeon. All are welcome to attend. Registration is not required, and there is no cost to join.
For general questions, contact:
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Meaghan Gass, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator, gassmeag@msu.edu, (989) 895-4026 ext. 5
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Mike Kelly, The Conservation Fund, Great Lakes Office, Director, kellym@conservationfund.org, 989-892-9171
2026 Release Event Details
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September 4, 2026
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September 26, 2026
Release times and locations are shared by each Saginaw River tributary.
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
When: 11-11:30 am
Shiawassee River
Where: Cole Park, Chesaning
Local Host: Friends of the Shiawassee River. For more information, contact Kim Lazar at kim@shiawasseeriver.org.
When: 12-12:30 pm
Flint River
Where: Paddlers’ Landings Mott Park Recreation Area, Flint
Local Host: Flint River Watershed Coalition. For more information, contact Sam Lazar at slazar@gcparks.org.
When: 2-2:30 pm
Cass River
Where: Gunzenhausen Walkway, Frankenmuth
Local Host: City of Frankenmuth. For more information, contact Matt Bierlein at mbierlein@frankenmuthcity.com
When: 2:30-3 pm