TCWP had the pleasure of tabling at Summit Metro Parks’ lake sturgeon release on September 19th. During the event, participants helped with the release of several hundred fingerling (juvenile) sturgeon into the Cuyahoga River. Along with events hosted by Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a total of 1500 fish were stocked throughout the day!
Lake sturgeon were once a relatively abundant species in the Cuyahoga River but were extirpated (locally extinct) by the 1900s due to reductions in both water and habitat quality. Due to the efforts of multiple organizations throughout the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie watersheds, the river has slowly but surely improved to the point where it should be able to support this iconic species again.
Our staff spent the event talking about the importance of water quality with the public, giving out bandanas marked with a custom sturgeon stamp made by our education and outreach coordinator, Kylie, and of course, releasing some sturgeon! Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners is excited to watch these conservation efforts continue over the next several years, and we can’t wait for the day the population is considered to be stable!
Learn more about lake sturgeon and how you can support monitoring efforts → https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/fish/lake-sturgeon