CHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Mich. – Sturgeon for Tomorrow is looking for volunteers to stand guard as mature lake sturgeon travel upstream to spawning sites along the Black River in Cheboygan County.
The group is working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and various tribes to protect fish from illegal harvesting during their six-week spawning season from now through early June.
“For over 20 years, the annual Sturgeon Guarding Program has proven that people serving as sturgeon guards watching over the river have virtually eliminated poaching, while helping to ensure the protection and reproductive success of the species,” said Mary Paulson, the program’s volunteer coordinator. “It’s a unique and rewarding experience to witness these majestic fish swimming up the Black River, and to be a key player in safeguarding one of Michigan’s most valuable natural resources.”
Lake sturgeon can weigh up to 200 pounds and live to be 100 years old. They are listed as a threatened species in Michigan.
“The experience of watching researchers capture, tag and release these amazing fish is, in itself, worth the effort of becoming involved,” said Jay Woiderski, president of Sturgeon for Tomorrow’s sturgeon recovery effort in the Black River/Cheboygan River watershed. “We also encourage those who enjoy mountain biking, mushrooming, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and camping in beautiful wild areas to partner with the sturgeon guarding effort.”
How does it work?
Volunteers will be assigned shifts along the river. They will need to stand watch and report any suspicious activity to the DNR conservation officers who patrol the area.
Volunteers are assigned sites to stand guard but there were also be on-site coordinators at the river to help out and answer any questions. Volunteers are also asked to record the number of fish active in the area.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Jim and Mary Paulson at 989-763-7568. Volunteers also can register online or learn more at sturgeonfortomorrow.org.