Atlantic Sturgeon
Atlantic sturgeon are one of Canada's oldest native fish — anadromous giants that hatch in freshwater rivers, migrate to the sea, and return to spawn in the same rivers where they were born. In Canada, two distinct populations exist: the St.
Lawrence and the Maritimes. Both are listed as Threatened, and active commercial fisheries operate under strict licensing in the St. Lawrence (Quebec) and Saint John River (New Brunswick).
Scientific Name: Acipenser oxyrinchus
Also known as Gomqwatamu (Mi'gmaw), sea sturgeon, common sturgeon
- Five rows of bony plates called scutes run along the body — top, sides, and belly — giving the fish an armored, prehistoric look unlike any other Canadian species.
- Long, shovel-shaped snout with four fleshy barbels hanging in front of the mouth; the mouth itself is underslung and toothless, built for bottom-feeding.
- Heterocercal tail — the upper lobe is noticeably longer than the lower, similar to a shark's tail.
- Can reach 14–15 feet and live 60 years; most fish encountered in Canadian rivers run 3–6 feet, with larger adults present in the Saint John and St. Lawrence systems.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to eastern Canada from Labrador south; the two recognized Canadian populations use the St. Lawrence River (Quebec) and the Maritimes rivers, including the Saint John River (New Brunswick) and Shubenacadie River (Nova Scotia).
- Anadromous — juveniles and subadults spend years feeding in coastal marine and estuarine waters before returning to their natal rivers to spawn as adults.
- Within rivers, they favor deep channels, tidal reaches, and soft-bottomed pools where invertebrates concentrate; in marine waters they range widely along the inner continental shelf.
- Recent genetic work has documented St. Lawrence-origin fish using the Restigouche River estuary (Quebec/New Brunswick border), expanding the known range.
Key Locations
- Saint John River, New Brunswick — one of the most documented Atlantic sturgeon fisheries in Canada, with a licensed commercial harvest and a long catch history dating to the 1800s.
- St. Lawrence River, Quebec — supports a licensed commercial fishery for subadult fish, with known aggregation and potential spawning areas documented in the tidal freshwater and estuarine reaches.
- Shubenacadie River, Nova Scotia — a single licensed commercial fishery operates here; the river connects to the Bay of Fundy tidal system.
- Restigouche River and estuary (Quebec/New Brunswick border) — recent research confirmed St. Lawrence-origin sturgeon using this system, with Mi'gmaw community members reporting increased sightings over the past decade.
Specific Spots
- Deep tidal pools and river channels with soft mud or sand bottoms — sturgeon root through these with their barbels to locate worms, clams, and crustaceans.
- Current seams and eddies below tidal constrictions, where food concentrates and sturgeon hold without fighting the full flow.
- Estuary transition zones where fresh and salt water mix — sturgeon stage here during seasonal migrations, making these areas productive for both commercial and recreational encounters.
- Deep wintering holes in the lower St. Lawrence and Saint John River systems, where fish congregate in cold months before moving upriver.
Atlantic Sturgeon FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Atlantic Sturgeon?
Natural bottom baits are the proven approach: nightcrawlers, sand worms, cut clam, and shrimp fished on the bottom in tidal pools and river channels where sturgeon feed. Sliding sinker rigs with enough weight to hold bottom in current, the bait needs to stay put while the sturgeon's barbels do the work of finding it.
When is the best time to fish for Atlantic Sturgeon?
Spring, fish move upriver as water temperatures rise, staging in tidal reaches and lower river pools before and during the spawn; this is when fish are most concentrated and accessible in rivers.
How do you catch Atlantic Sturgeon?
In Canada, directed sturgeon fishing is primarily a licensed commercial activity in the Saint John and St. Lawrence systems. Where recreational angling is permitted under provincial or federal authorization, anglers fish from shore or anchored boats using heavy bottom rigs with natural bait in deep tidal pools and...
What do Atlantic Sturgeon eat?
Bottom feeders that vacuum up worms, clams, mussels, amphipods, and small crustaceans using their sensitive barbels to locate prey in soft sediment, bottom-fished natural baits like worms or cut clam are the standard approach where retention is permitted.
Where do Atlantic Sturgeon live?
Native to eastern Canada from Labrador south; the two recognized Canadian populations use the St. Lawrence River (Quebec) and the Maritimes rivers, including the Saint John River (New Brunswick) and Shubenacadie River (Nova Scotia).
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