On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Michigan’s Black Lake hosted its annual sturgeon fishing event, which concluded in a record-breaking 17 minutes. This swift conclusion surpassed the previous record of 36 minutes set in 2022.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that 797 anglers had registered for the event. The season commenced at 8 a.m., and by 8:17 a.m., participants had reached the harvest limit of six sturgeon. The first catch occurred just three minutes after the start, with angler Gavin Green landing an 18-pound sturgeon measuring 43.5 inches. The largest fish of the day weighed 78.3 pounds and was caught by Wisconsin fisherman Austin Dreifuerst.
Each angler was permitted to harvest one sturgeon using either a spear or hook-and-line. Upon making a catch, fishermen were required to notify the DNR via text message. Once the six-fish limit was achieved, the DNR promptly informed all registered participants to conclude the fishing.
Jay Woiderski, president of the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, praised the event, stating, “It was a banner day of Black Lake sturgeon fishing for a great fish, and everyone was pleased with their catches.” He also noted that not all registered anglers were present on the ice that morning, yet there were still plenty of fish.
The DNR utilizes data from this event to monitor sturgeon populations and support ongoing conservation efforts. The swift conclusion of this year’s season highlights the abundance of sturgeon in Black Lake and the enthusiasm of the fishing community.
