It's Been One Year Since the Rare Sturgeon Discovery in the Des Moines River, Have You Caught One?

A year after the Des Moines River yielded two federally endangered Pallid sturgeon, Iowa DNR biologists confirmed the rare discovery in a river stretch where these fish had not previously been recorded. Pallid sturgeon are among North America’s oldest species, with lifespans exceeding 100 years and individuals reaching over seven feet in length. These long-lived fish mature late, often not spawning until ages 15 to 20, making population health fragile. The finding illustrates that sturgeon still migrate through Iowa waterways and highlights gaps in knowledge about the state's river ecosystems. They serve as ecological indicators and emphasize adherence to state regulations restricting some sturgeon species.