Nebraska Biologists Catch Endangered Fish

April 10, 2009

Release from: Associated Press

LESHARA, Neb. - The discovery of a pallid sturgeon in the Platte River by University of Nebraska-Lincoln biologists has some researchers taking another look at the endangered fish.

The 30-inch, five-pound pallid sturgeon was caught March 31 as researchers were sampling fish in the river near Leshara.

It was the first time biologists have captured a pallid sturgeon upstream from the confluence of the Elkhorn River.

Biologists say the captured sturgeon was stocked in the Missouri River seven years ago near Boonville, Mo. The fish moved more than 475 miles upstream from its stocking location to where it was caught.

UNL researcher Marty Hamel says the capture was significant and will likely cause researchers to reassess what they know about pallid sturgeon in the Platte River.