Lake Sturgeon
Lake sturgeon are a native, keystone species of the Great Lakes, and of great importance to its ecosystem, but have declined to an estimated 1% of their historic population. Using the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS), Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous-led stewardship, we will identify critical habitats, map movement corridors, and guide targeted restoration actions across Georgian Bay. By tracking adult and juvenile lake sturgeon and integrating Two-Eyed Seeing—bringing together Indigenous and Western knowledge systems—the project will directly inform long-term recovery planning.
Major Environmental Issue
Endangered lake sturgeon in Ontario’s Great Lakes and the upper St. Lawrence region
A limited number of tributaries in Georgian Bay provide suitable conditions for natural lake sturgeon reproduction, and many historical spawning rivers are no longer viable as a result of dam construction, channelization, altered flows, and industrial activities such as logging and the associated erosion or sawdust and bark deposition. Additional pressures include shoreline development, climate-driven changes in water temperature, and invasive round goby that predate on lake sturgeon eggs and larvae.
Despite these challenges, lake sturgeon are known to respond strongly to conservation actions when critical habitats are protected or restored. Recovery successes elsewhere in the Great Lakes demonstrate that populations can rebound when spawning habitat, connectivity, and juvenile survival improve.
Research Objectives
To identify, protect, and restore habitats critical to lake sturgeon recovery in Georgian Bay by integrating acoustic telemetry, Indigenous knowledge, and targeted habitat remediation, within an Indigenous-led, long-term stewardship framework.
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Map basin-scale movement patterns of adult and juvenile Lake Sturgeon to identify migration routes, feeding areas, overwintering habitats, and river–lake connectivity.
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Identify critical spawning grounds, nursery areas, and seasonal habitats by integrating telemetry data with Indigenous knowledge of historical and contemporary sturgeon use.
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Identify dispersal corridors and high-risk zones, including areas affected by predation, degraded substrates, altered flow regimes, or development pressure.
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Guide targeted habitat remediation, including spawning substrate enhancement, coastal wetland restoration, and flow management recommendations.
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Strengthen Indigenous-led stewardship and youth engagement through co-development, capacity building, and Two-Eyed Seeing approaches.
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Develop a 50-year Lake Sturgeon recovery framework that aligns ecological objectives with Indigenous principles of intergenerational responsibility.
Partnerships with First Nations
This project will be co-developed with First Nations communities across Georgian Bay, building on existing lake sturgeon stewardship, monitoring, and cultural revitalization initiatives. Indigenous leadership is essential because lake sturgeon hold deep cultural and clan significance. Indigenous knowledge provides long-term ecological insight and goals, and community stewardship ensures continuity beyond short-term research. Youth engagement will strengthen future conservation capacity and ensure cultural teachings about lake sturgeon remain central to recovery efforts.
Methods
Study sites will be selected collaboratively, focusing on known or suspected spawning tributaries, coastal wetlands used as nursery habitats, areas of historical lake sturgeon presence, and locations suitable for restoration.
Approximately 40 adult male and 40 adult female and 20-25 juvenile lake sturgeon will be tagged with minimally invasive acoustic transmitters, following established animal care protocols as developed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and First Nations ceremonies. Fish movements will be tracked using the existing GLATOS receiver network across Georgian Bay, supplemented by targeted new receiver deployments in priority areas.
Telemetry data will be used to map seasonal movements, identify critical habitats, assess connectivity, and detect high-risk zones. Results will directly inform habitat remediation candidate site identification, restoration actions, including substrate enhancement, wetland rehabilitation, flow management recommendations, and optimization of hatchery and stocking program support.
Expected Outcomes
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A Georgian Bay lake sturgeon movement atlas
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Identification of spawning, nursery, and overwintering habitats
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Maps of dispersal corridors and high-risk zones
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Habitat suitability and restoration recommendations
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Prioritized list of tributaries and coastal habitats for remediation
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Flow management guidance for waterway and hydro operators
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Habitat enhancement at a minimum of two priority sites
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Strengthened Indigenous stewardship capacity and youth engagement
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A 50-year lake sturgeon recovery roadmap
Long-Term Vision
Lake sturgeon are a culturally significant and ecologically important species whose presence reflects the health of rivers and nearshore habitats. Guided by a 50-year horizon that reflects lake sturgeon biology and Indigenous values, this project aims to restore self-sustaining populations, renew cultural relationships with Nmé, and create a scalable model for Indigenous-led freshwater stewardship across the Great Lakes.
This project is an investment in ecological renewal, cultural revitalization, and long-term stewardship.
