Where Does Atlantic Sturgeon Live?

Atlantic Sturgeon lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Atlantic Sturgeon

Water type

brackish

Depth

Adults typically inhabit coastal marine waters and estuaries from 10 to 50 meters, but can be found deeper (up to 100 meters). Spawning occurs in freshwater rivers, usually in depths of 3-20 meters.

Environment

Anadromous, spending most of their lives in saltwater and brackish estuaries, but migrating to freshwater rivers for spawning. Prefer areas with soft, muddy, or sandy bottoms for feeding, and hard, rocky, or gravel bottoms for spawning.

Geographic range

Historically ranged along the Atlantic coast of North America from Labrador, Canada, to the St. Johns River, Florida, USA. Current distribution is fragmented, with remnant populations in major river systems along this range.

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