Sturgeon are found in Florida waters. These ancient, cartilaginous fish are often called “living fossils,” with an evolutionary lineage stretching back over 200 million years. They are known for their distinctive armored bodies and a unique life cycle involving migration between saltwater and freshwater. In Florida, these large fish are concentrated in the river systems flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Sturgeon Species Found in Florida
The primary sturgeon population in Florida is the Gulf Sturgeon, scientifically classified as Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi. This species is a recognized subspecies of the Atlantic Sturgeon and is the most common sturgeon found along the Gulf Coast. Gulf Sturgeon can reach impressive sizes, growing up to nine feet in length and occasionally weighing over 300 pounds.
Their appearance is characterized by five distinct rows of bony plates, known as scutes, that cover their body like armor. They are typically dark brown or olive on the back, fading to a creamy white or pale color on the belly. Gulf Sturgeon have a long snout with four barbels positioned just ahead of a toothless, suctorial mouth used for vacuuming food from the bottom.
The Gulf Sturgeon is anadromous, migrating to freshwater to reproduce after spending time in the marine environment. Although Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) and Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) have been documented, the Gulf Sturgeon is the major established population utilizing the state’s river systems.
Key Florida Habitats and Migration Patterns
The Gulf Sturgeon’s presence is centered around rivers that empty into the Gulf of Mexico, primarily in the Panhandle and Big Bend regions. The Suwannee River supports the largest population, estimated to be around 10,000 to 14,000 adults. Other important river systems include the Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, Escambia, Yellow, and Blackwater rivers.
The sturgeon follow a predictable annual migratory cycle driven by water temperature changes. Adult and subadult sturgeon move from the Gulf of Mexico into freshwater rivers starting in early spring, typically between February and April. They swim upstream, sometimes over 100 miles, to reach deep river sections where they spend the summer months.
During their six to eight months in freshwater, the sturgeon cease feeding and rely on stored fat reserves. Spawning occurs in the upper reaches over hard substrates like limestone bedrock or gravel. In the late fall (September through November), the sturgeon migrate back downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. They spend the winter months feeding heavily on bottom-dwelling organisms like marine worms and crustaceans in near-shore habitats.
Protected Status and Regulations
The Gulf Sturgeon population declined significantly after the late 1800s due to extensive commercial harvesting. They were targeted for their meat and roe, a valuable source of caviar. This pressure, combined with dam construction blocking access to historical spawning grounds and habitat degradation, severely impacted their numbers.
The Gulf Sturgeon is currently listed as a federally threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This status grants strict federal protections. Critical habitat areas, encompassing essential spawning, feeding, and migratory waters, have been formally designated in several Florida rivers and adjacent marine areas.
Because of this protected status, all harvest, possession, or harassment of Gulf Sturgeon is prohibited. Anyone who accidentally catches a sturgeon must release it immediately and unharmed. These regulations are designed to allow populations to recover.