A fish biologist coming to Sturgeon Bay says Lake Michigan will get healthier when the sturgeon population rises. The Fish Tales Lecture series at Crossroads at Big Creek continues on Wednesday with a focus on lake sturgeon. According to Rob Elliott, Fish Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Services, the sturgeon population dwindled to almost nothing in the late 1800s due to overfishing, pollution and dams. From then until the 1980s sturgeon populations remained stagnant. They've slowly grown since thanks to new legislation protecting them. Elliott, who will be giving the lecture on Wednesday, says sturgeon is an important species for Lake Michigan.
Elliott's lecture on Wednesday will focus on the ongoing efforts to help grow the sturgeon population. Because of their long life span, it's a long term effort to help the sturgeon rebound. Elliott says the lecture is for all ages and hopes to share the historic importance of the fish with the community.
