Authorities are investigating a six-foot-long lake sturgeon that was found on a road north of Muskegon.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported Friday that the sturgeon was found on Durham Road in Whitehall, just south of the White River access. DNR reports it was dumped on the road between midnight Thursday and 5:30 a.m. Friday, and that damage to its left gill plate indicates it may have been snagged.
Since being listed as a threatened species in the 1990s, lake sturgeon have special regulations — they can only be fished in a few locations throughout the state, not including the White River. Sturgeon captured while fishing for other species must be released, according to DNR.
“Lake sturgeon are such an iconic species,” said DNR Conservation Officer Anna Cullen of Muskegon County. “We hope to give this fish justice to help protect this important species. Maybe there’s someone out there who can help us do that.”
Anyone with information about the sturgeon is asked to contact DNR’s Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800. Anyone with a tip leading to arrest and prosecution may be eligible for a cash reward.
mbryan@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: DNR seeks help investigating dead sturgeon found in Whitehall
Reporting by Max Bryan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Max Bryan, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
