How long do sturgeon live?

The typical life span for sturgeon varies greatly between males and females. The average life span for lake-dwelling female sturgeon is 80 to 150 years, while lake-dwelling male sturgeon live an average life span of only 55 years.

Sturgeon typically spawn in flowing rivers, streams and estuaries. These natural spawning grounds are currently threatened by dams or alterations of water flow. Sturgeon are also threatened by contaminants that wash into lakes and rivers, building up in the sturgeon's flesh over years. This results in a lower growth rate for the juvenile sturgeon as well as a marked decrease in egg and larval survival.