Gulf sturgeons tagged on Pearl River, LA

Gulf sturgeon · 10-17-2009, 03:29 PM

These gentle giants (Gulf sturgeons) were tagged with sonic/radio tags and are tracked offshore during the winter months. They inhabit the river systems along the gulf coast from Florida to Louisiana. They are Anadromous fish moving into the rivers to spawn. These photos were taken while I was working just before I retired in 2007.

We would use a gill get in the rivers. They do not feed while they are in the rivers and will lose about 10 to 20% body weight. They move into the rivers in March and return to the gulf in October/November. They will stay close inshore around the barrier islands (Cat Island to Dolphin Island)

mattmuttsmithx · 10-17-2009, 03:37 PM

Boy wouldn't you hate to be swimming off the bank and have that thing roll up beside you. I would swear that it was an alligator.

I would love to catch that thing!

Nice Pictures!

granpafish · 10-18-2009, 08:44 AM

Good job! They seem to be doing better in all their ranges. It will be nice to see them make a come back. (if I live long enough)

rbhankins001 · 10-18-2009, 10:13 AM

What did you catch them on?

I used to run a swamp tour boat in Honey Island, never saw one of those though!

Very cool.

mr buck · 10-18-2009, 12:18 PM

How far offshore do they go? Do they tend to stay on the bottom or do they suspend much?

Gulf sturgeon · 10-19-2009, 12:02 PM

We would use a gill get in the rivers. They do not feed while they are in the rivers and will lose about 10 to 20% body weight. They move into the rivers in March and return to the gulf in October/November. They will stay close inshore around the barrier islands (Cat Island to Dolphin Island)