By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) is celebrating a major milestone in aquatic conservation with 25 years of lake sturgeon research at the Black Lake Stream Side Rearing Facility in Onaway, Michigan. The achievement highlights decades of scientific research, collaboration, and community involvement that have contributed to the recovery of lake sturgeon populations in parts of the Great Lakes region.
To mark the occasion, MSU will host the Sturgeon Palooza event on September 25, 2026. The celebration will showcase how partnerships between MSU and numerous state, federal, tribal, and non-governmental organizations have helped protect and restore a species that once faced significant population declines.
Over the past 25 years, researchers have worked to better understand lake sturgeon biology, habitat needs, and population dynamics. Their efforts have resulted in valuable knowledge that supports conservation strategies and restoration programs across Michigan and the wider Great Lakes region.
According to Scott Colborne, assistant professor in the Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the long-running research program has produced significant achievements in both science and conservation.
“Twenty-five years of research has taught us an incredible amount about lake sturgeon and what it takes to restore these populations,” Colborne said. “We can see that in the recovery of the Black Lake population, in young sturgeon once again showing up in places like Saginaw Bay, and in more than 80 scientific publications that have expanded our understanding of these fish. But one of the most exciting things about a program like this is that the value of the work continues to grow. We now have decades of data, new tools and experience that allow us to ask questions that simply weren’t possible when the program started.
“The impact also extends well beyond the science and the fish. Eighteen graduate students and more than 100 undergraduate research technicians from across the country have been part of this program, and we’ve seen how these fish can capture the imagination of communities and spark curiosity in the next generation. While Sturgeon Palooza is celebrating what this program has accomplished over the last 25 years, we are very excited about where it can go over the next 25 — and how our research, partnerships, and education efforts can continue to have an impact for sturgeon and the Great Lakes more broadly.”
One of the program's key accomplishments has been helping restore lake sturgeon populations in Black Lake and surrounding waterways. Young sturgeon have reappeared in areas where populations were previously limited, demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term conservation efforts.
The initiative has also contributed to scientific advancement through more than 80 research publications. These studies have improved understanding of lake sturgeon behavior, growth, survival, and habitat requirements. Researchers now have access to decades of valuable data, allowing them to study long-term trends and answer complex conservation questions.
Beyond research, the program has created educational opportunities for students. Over the years, 18 graduate students and more than 100 undergraduate research technicians have participated in projects related to sturgeon conservation. These experiences have helped prepare future scientists, fisheries professionals, and environmental leaders.
Doug Larson, Michigan State University research assistant and staff member at the Black Lake Stream Side Rearing Facility, emphasized that there is still much to learn about this long-lived species.
“When you look back over the last 25 years, it's remarkable how much has changed,” Larson said. “We started by answering very basic questions about how to restore these populations to having decades of information on individual fish in this population. But for a species which lives hundreds of years, we've only scratched the surface. The long-term datasets and partnerships we've built give us opportunities to ask questions today that we couldn't have imagined when this started.”
While the anniversary celebrates significant progress, researchers believe the future holds even greater opportunities. Continued collaboration, scientific innovation, and community engagement will remain essential for protecting lake sturgeon and maintaining healthy Great Lakes ecosystems.
The 25-year milestone serves as a reminder of how sustained research and strong partnerships can support wildlife conservation, restore ecosystems, and inspire future generations to protect valuable natural resources.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education