Discover the 8 Largest Sturgeon Ever Caught

Sturgeon (Acipenseridae )  are large, ancient fish with cartilaginous skeletons, native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are characterized by bony scutes and vacuum-like mouths with barbels, which they use to feed on bottom-dwelling prey. Most of the 27 recorded species are anadromous, migrating from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. Sturgeon are known for their long lifespans. They can grow to be quite large, with some species reaching over 13 feet in length. Continue reading to learn about eight of the largest sturgeon ever caught.

Sturgeon: Overview

Sturgeon are freshwater and saltwater fish that inhabit rivers and lakes across North America and Europe. They are a long-lived species, capable of living for 50-60 years in the wild, although some sources suggest sturgeon might live for over 100 years.

These massive fish primarily feed on aquatic macroinvertebrates such as mussels, mosquitoes, and snails, but they may also eat small fish, crustaceans, and insects. Sturgeon also eat small fish, snails, and crustaceans.

Sturgeon are popular sport fish across North America. However, there are laws restricting their capture, as many species or populations are considered endangered or critically endangered in certain locations.

The Largest Sturgeon Ever Caught

The increase in game and sport fishing created the International Game Fish Association. Established in 1939, this international group catalogs and records all world record game fish.

To date, the largest sturgeon was a female beluga (Huso huso) that was 23 feet and 7 inches long, weighing 3,436 pounds. The fish was caught in the Volga River estuary in Russia on May 28, 1827. Beluga sturgeon are prized for their caviar, which is considered a pinnacle of luxury.

Atlantic Sturgeon

Atlantic sturgeon live along the Atlantic Coast from Labrador, Canada, to Florida. Some species have even been sighted in the Mississippi Delta. These are smaller than their beluga cousins, reaching 5-6 feet long and weighing 90-160 pounds.

The largest Atlantic sturgeon was caught near Canada, weighed 811 pounds, and was 14 feet.

Lake Sturgeon

Lake sturgeon or rock sturgeon are specific freshwater fish that reside in lakes, as their name suggests. They are the oldest species of lake fish living within the Great Lakes of North America. On average, they can reach 6 feet and weigh nearly 200 pounds.

According to the IGFA, Edward Paszkowski reeled in a 168-pound lake sturgeon in Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, on May 29, 1982.

White Sturgeon

White sturgeon are bottom-dwelling fish that are closely related to the green and beluga sturgeon. They live on the Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to California. While rare individuals can reach up to 20 feet long and weigh as much as 1,800 pounds, most white sturgeon are much smaller, typically averaging 6-10 feet in length and 100-400 pounds in weight.

According to the IGFA, Joey Pallotta III reeled in a 468-pound white sturgeon in Benicia, California, on July 9, 1983.

However, some reports attribute a larger, unofficial catch to Joey Pallotta III: an 11-foot, 7-inch sturgeon weighing 1,100 pounds, reportedly caught in the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada in 2012. This catch is not officially recognized by the IGFA.

Honorable Mentions

Not every fish is viable for the IGFA record. Certain reels, lines, bait, and other equipment may disqualify someone not following the specific guidelines for individual types and sizes of fish.

Here are some famous catches that are larger than the IGFA’s records:

• Former NHL goalie Pete Peeters landed an 890-pound white sturgeon on the Fraser River, in British Columbia, Canada. It measured 11 feet, 6 inches. Peeters posed with his prized catch before releasing it back into the river.
• In 2015, Chad Helmer reeled in a 1,000-pound albino white sturgeon on the Fraser River. Helmer took two hours to reel it in. After posing with the fish in the water near shore, it was released.
• August 5, 2022, Greg Poulsen and his wife caught a 600-pound sturgeon on the Snake River in Idaho. The couple told authorities it was like “reeling in a refrigerator.” They took several photos of the 10-foot fish before releasing it.

Why Anglers Release Sturgeon

The idea of catch and release is a common custom in fishing. Anglers believe it would be dishonorable to end the fish’s long-lived life.

Additionally, many sturgeon species are endangered or critically endangered due to overfishing and the popularity of commercial fishing, especially for caviar, which is extracted from live fish. Because these fish only reproduce every one to five years, their populations have not recovered quickly. Conservation efforts have led to laws in many regions requiring fishers to release certain sturgeon species back into the wild, though regulations vary depending on the species and location.

Anglers love and respect fish, wanting them to thrive in nature. Thanks to modern technology, they can capture photos of their catches as proof before releasing them back into the wild.

How Do Sturgeon Get So Large?

Sturgeon live exceptionally long lives, averaging 50-60 years, with some individuals reaching 100 years. Many lake and river sturgeon have few natural predators, allowing them to continue eating and growing without issue until they succumb to disease.

When sturgeon are young, they are easy prey for lampreys and sharks. However, a mature sturgeon is so big that there are no fish in the same habitat capable of eating it. Sturgeon are remarkable creatures that still need help recovering from the effects of overfishing and the illegal trade in caviar and meat.