A Gaylord man is under investigation for his involvement in the poaching of a 55-inch sturgeon in Otsego County, according to Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

The incident occurred Monday, March 12, on Otsego Lake. A conservation officer responded to a citizen’s report about an individual in possession of an illegally taken sturgeon. After setting up surveillance and interviewing witnesses, the officer was able to identify the suspect.

The man ultimately confessed to snagging the fish in the abdomen area and pulling it through the ice by hand after drilling several holes around the original hole to remove the sturgeon from the water. Sturgeon can be taken only with a hook and line in Otsego Lake. The fish and the equipment used in the illegal taking were seized as evidence. 

“We appreciate the public’s vigilance as we work together to protect our shared natural resources,” said Lt. Jim Gorno, district supervisor for the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Our conservation officer quickly followed up on the citizen’s information and identified the suspect through good police work. It’s this type of cooperation that will help us preserve our world-class resources for generations to come.”

A report will be forwarded to the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The DNR will not release the suspect’s name unless he is formally charged.

Taking or possessing a sturgeon in violation of Michigan law is punishable by 30 to 180 days in jail, a fine ranging from $500 to $2,000, or both; reimbursement for prosecution costs and the loss of fishing privileges for three years. Violators also face a $1,500 fine for each fish.

Anyone with information regarding a poaching incident or other violations of Michigan’s natural resources protection laws is asked to call or text the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800. The RAP line is a convenient, effective way for citizens to report the illegal taking of fish or game, or damage to the state's natural resources. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

An individual offering information that leads to a successful conviction may be eligible for a reward through the RAP program. While citizens can remain anonymous, they must provide their names if they wish to be eligible for a reward.

Lake sturgeon are listed as a threatened species in Michigan. They are a unique species that can live up to 150 years. There are special regulations involved in fishing for sturgeon, including the use of a harvest tag and mandatory registration of harvested fish. Learn more about these regulations and the history of lake sturgeon in Michigan at www.michigan.gov/sturgeon.