Scaphirhynchus albus

How to identify a Pallid Sturgeon

Pallid Sturgeon are found in cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands

Where to catch Pallid Sturgeon

• Columbia River (OR/WA) — all species we list for this fishery
• Sacramento (CA) — all species we list for this fishery
• Fraser (BC) — all species we list for this fishery
• Great Lakes (US/CA) — all species we list for this fishery

Pallid Sturgeon by state

State season calendars that list Pallid Sturgeon — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• California — seasons, best months and licence info
• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Michigan — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• New York — seasons, best months and licence info
• Ohio — seasons, best months and licence info
• Oregon — seasons, best months and licence info
• Pennsylvania — seasons, best months and licence info
• Washington — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wisconsin — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · insects · worms · small fish · crustaceans · flies · or artificial lures where legal

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Pallid Sturgeon:

• Atlantic Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Green Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Gulf Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Lake Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Shortnose Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Shovelnose Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)