Design of a portable streamside rearing facility for lake sturgeon

A portable streamside rearing facility was designed and used by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians during efforts to rehabilitate a remnant population of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in the Big Manistee River, Michigan, beginning in 2004. The streamside rearing facility facilitates rearing of wild-caught lake sturgeon larvae in their natal water. This rearing approach provides a cost-effective technique for small batch rearing, incorporates aspects of genetic conservation, and addresses concerns about imprinting and spawning site fidelity. This rearing method may be an important management tool for restoring remnant lake sturgeon populations. Successful rearing of lake sturgeon during the first 3 years of operation indicates that this portable design may be adapted and modified for other locations and fish species. Other management agencies in the Great Lakes basin are currently using this technology for lake sturgeon rehabilitation because of the demonstrated operational success of this facility.