I had a very interesting discussion with the DNR about Lake Sturgeon habits and feed. Some surprising information came out of it and is worth sharing.
Most sturgeon appear ready able and willing to travel long distances to spawn. After that, they appear to develop a home range for the summer and are usually not found out of it. DNR has had one tagged sturgeon reported seven times over a number of years and always below the dam on the Rainy River at International Falls. This fish appears to have lived in that area for years.
Sturgeon diet includes lots of insects. When I ask if a bucket full of grasshoppers would be worth trying I got an affirmative answer and told it was sure worth a try.
They also feed on lots of crayfish and shrimp was suggested as an alternate since it is illegal to transport crayfish to a body of water they were not caught from. I have wondered about trying to catch some in the Rainy River.
River mussels also are on their diet but that would be an illegal bait in Minnesota as it is not legal to possess mussels of any species.
Dead minnows or fish of any kind were not mentioned as possible bait. Cut bait has never worked for us and minnows only when used with nightcrawlers.
Sooo, get your butterfly net out next summer and see if a bucket full of grasshoppers or crickets will change your luck. Just think if that was as important as knowing where the frogs are the first of August when the catfish start hunting them.
