<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Sturgeon_2.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 188px; float: right;" />Once a common species in the Great Lakes and larger rivers of Michigan, the Lake Sturgeon was depleted through overfishing throughout its range. Now a species of high conservation priority, efforts to restore populations of Lake Sturgeons are underway throughout the Midwest. One of these efforts is led by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (LRBOI). Focused on the lower Manistee River, near the center of the Band&rsquo;s traditional homeland, fisheries biologists of the LRBOI are capturing sturgeon fry in the lower Manistee River and raising them in a special sturgeon rearing facility. In this controlled environment, young sturgeon are protected from predators and environmental hazards, growing to larger sizes to be released later when they are less vulnerable. The program thus increases the survival of sturgeon fry and augments the river&rsquo;s sturgeon population.&nbsp;</p>
