The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) announced a record catch during its annual sturgeon survey.
Fisheries staff were catching fish in Lake St. Clair, collecting data, tagging and releasing them.
According to an MDNR Facebook post, they discovered a large lake sturgeon during their survey.
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The crew caught a 125-pound fish that was over six feet long.
Lake St. Clair is also known as the “Heart of the Great Lakes,” with an area of just 430 square miles and an average depth of 11 feet, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources employees were conducting their annual sturgeon survey when they reeled in the department's largest lake sturgeon to date. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)
“The team reeled in the largest fish (by length) in the history of this expedition,” the MDNR said in a photo of the massive catch.
“Aging is a bit tricky, but it wouldn't be surprising to find that some of these fish are approaching 80 years of age,” the post reads.
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Lake sturgeon typically measure 4 to 6 feet in length and weigh 30 to 80 pounds.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, their lifespan is 50 to 100 years.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, lake sturgeon have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. (Caesar)
“These activities provide biologists and technicians with information about lake sturgeon status, which helps them track population numbers, survival, movements, habitat use and more,” MDNR said on Facebook.
This prehistoric fish has a shark-like tail and is covered in bony armour plates.
“Sturgeon are an amazing and unique species, and efforts like this help continue the conservation efforts that help them thrive,” MDNR added.
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Facebook users reacted to the massive catch, commenting on the post.
“My dad is turning 80 this week and can't believe that fish has been around since the '40s. Can you imagine how that fish felt? 'Damn it, I've been escaping hooks for 80 years,'” one woman said.
Another commented: “Do you think y'all let him go?”
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, lake sturgeon typically measure 4 to 6 feet in length and weigh 30 to 80 pounds. (Ekaterina Alesinskaya)
“So that means a six-foot sturgeon is about 80 years old!” one man said.
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“That's amazing,” the woman commented.
“That sounds like a fun job,” one man said.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to MDNR for additional comment.
