Range and Identity
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus is strongly associated with the Mississippi-basin river region. Older range treatments also contain peripheral or historical records, which should not be treated as proof of current occupancy. It must remain distinct from other Scaphirhynchus sturgeons when comparing catches or survey data.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults use main channels and embayments, frequently over sand mixed with gravel or mud. Flowing water is a recurring feature. Documented foods include burrowing mayflies, caddisfly larvae, midge larvae, worms and crustaceans taken near the bottom.
Food and Life History
The compiled upper references are 108 centimeters total length and 4.9 kilograms. Spawning is described in large rivers with swift current and coarse substrate, generally during spring in the cited regional account. This is different from the softer mixed bottoms used during feeding.
Field Note
Include a complete head and body view with identification photographs. Similar sturgeons can share large rivers, so a shovel-shaped snout alone should not settle the species.
All Lakes With Shovelnose Sturgeon
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Shovelnose Sturgeon records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–18 of 18 lakes · Page 1 of 1
- Bell Reservoir Phillips, MT
- Bighorn Lake Big Horn, MT
- Fort Peck Dredge Cuts Valley, MT
- Fort Peck Lake Valley, MT
- Fort Peck Powerhouse Tailrace Valley, MT
- Fort Peck Trout Pond Valley, MT
- George Lake Blue Earth, MN
- Hollecker Lake Dawson, MT
- Lake Allie Renville, MN
- Lake Elwell Toole, MT
- Nelson Dredge Valley, MT
- Pokegama Lake Pine, MN
- Pool 10 Clayton, IA
- Pool 11 Dubuque, IA
- Pool 16 Muscatine, IA
- Sleepy Eye Lake Brown, MN
- Sleepy Eye Lake Brown, MN
- Thole Lake Scott, MN