ND Shovelnose Sturgeon Fishing Guide

Sturgeon Family: Sturgeon are primitive fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, shovel-like snout, four barbels under the snout in front of a toothless mouth, long shark-like tail, and bony plates or scutes on the body. They have small eyes, and use a highly developed sense of taste to locate food in turbid water. Their streamlined body shape makes them well-suited for swift-moving waters, and they are found in the Missouri, Yellowstone and Red rivers.

Identification: Long shark-like tail Bony plates or scutes on the body Short shovel-like snout Toothless mouth Barbels located in front of the mouth with the two center barbels almost as long as the outside barbels

Notes: The Shovelnose sturgeon, which seldom exceeds 5 pounds, is our most abundant sturgeon. Sturgeon are slow-growing, late-maturing fish with a long life span, which makes them sensitive to overharvest. Law now requires that all sturgeon must be released immediately to protect the larger pallid , which looks a lot like the shovelnose at a young age.

Habitat & Range

The Shovelnose sturgeon, which seldom exceeds 5 pounds, is our most abundant sturgeon. Sturgeon are slow-growing, late-maturing fish with a long life span, which makes them sensitive to overharvest. Law now requires that all sturgeon must be released immediately to protect the larger pallid , which looks a lot like the shovelnose at a young age.

Fishing Season

Open year-round (April 1 – March 31)

License & Regulations

A valid North Dakota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident licenses are available. Two free fishing days per year (typically in June and December) allow fishing without a license. Purchase licenses online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website.

References

• North Dakota — Shovelnose Sturgeon