EnvironmentalBiology of Fishes48:291–298,1997.
© 1997 KluwerAcademicPublishers. Printed inthe Netherlands.Life history and status of the shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus
platorynchus
Kent D. Keenlyne
U.S.Fish and WildlifeService, 420SouthGarfieldAve.,Pierre,SD57501–5408,U.S.A.Received20.8.1994 Accepted14.3.1996Key words:range, commercial harvest,marketvalue,Mississippi,MissouriRiverSynopsisThe shovelnose sturgeon,Scaphirhynchusplatorynchus,is a freshwater sturgeon of the Mississippi and Mis-
souri rivers and their tributaries. It is one of the smaller North American sturgeons, seldom weighing more
than 2.5 kg over most of its range except in the upper Missouri River, where individuals of over 7 kg have been
found. Spawning occurs in spring at temperatures between 17 and 21 °C over rock or gravel substrate down-
stream from dams, near rock structures, or in tributaries. most males reach sexual maturity at 5 years, most
females at 7 years. Adults do not spawn every year. Shovelnose sturgeon are found in large, turbid rivers and
frequently concentrate in areas downstream from dams or at the mouths of tributaries. Population densities
range up to 2500 fish per km. They are commonly found in areas of current over sandy bottoms or near rocky
points or bars, where they feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates. The shovelnose sturgeon is classified as a
sport species in 12 of 24 states where it occurs. Commercial harvest is allowed in seven states, where fresh
shovelnose sturgeon sell for 55 to 88 cents per kg, smoked shovelnose for about $5.75 per kg, and roe from 33
to 110 dollars per kg. About 25 tons of shovelnose sturgeon are harvested commercially each year. Shovelnose
sturgeon are considered extirpated in three states, fully protected in four states, and rare, threatened, or of
special concern in eight states. Populations are considered stable throughout most of the upper Mississippi,
lower Missouri, Red, and Atchafalaya rivers. Three states,Wyoming, West Virginia, and New Mexico, have
developed plans to reintroduce the species into rivers where it has been extirpated.IntroductionThe shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchusplato-
rynchus, is indigenous to the Mississippi River
drainage. The genus has occurred in this region for
nearly 100 million years (Bailey & Cross 1954). Al-
though one of the most abundant sturgeons in
North America, its distribution has diminished in
the last 100 years, and population numbers have
been reduced throughout most of its range due to
habitat alteration, overharvest, and water contam-
ination. Although not as abundant as it once was,the shovelnose sturgeon is still one of the few stur-
geons that can be harvested commercially in the
United States (Helms 1974, Carlson et al. 1985).
Considerable information has been published on
the biology and life history of the shovelnose stur-
geon, but no status review has been compiled for
this species in 10 years, and no compilation of com-
mercial harvest data exists on this species over its
entire range. The purposes of this paper are to sum-
marize the general biology and life history of the
shovelnose sturgeon and to present information on
its current status. Status information was obtained