Sturgeon For Tomorrow

Welcome to the Black Lake, Michigan Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, website. A non-profit organization dedicated to the future of lake sturgeon.

Our Mission

The purposes of Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Inc. (SFT) are to assist fisheries managers in the rehabilitation of the Lake Sturgeon, to advance education, to further other charitable, educational and scientific objectives, to engage in and facilitate scientific research furtherance of such purposes, and SFT, Inc. shall be empowered to engage in such other and further means necessary and proper to accomplish the foregoing objects and purposes.

Public Tours of Black River Sturgeon Hatchery Offered Aug. 20

Public Tours of Black River Sturgeon Hatchery

Hatchery-reared sturgeon fingerlings will be released into the Black River and Mullett Lake after the tours

If you're curious about lake sturgeon - one of the most unique and the biggest fish swimming the Great Lakes - plan a visit to the Black River hatchery northwest of Onaway, Michigan, Saturday, Aug. 20. The facility will host free public tours that day from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m..

The tours are offered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership and Sturgeon For Tomorrow. Researchers from the DNR and MSU will be on hand to talk about lake sturgeon biology, reproductive ecology and the current year's research. Sturgeon For Tomorrow representatives will discuss restoration work to improve sturgeon spawning habitat, sturgeon conservation and outreach programming.

"While on the tours, visitors will see 3-month-old lake sturgeon currently in the hatchery and learn about early life history and how we can all play a role to keep healthy populations of this fish in our waters," said Dave Borgeson, Northern Lake Huron Unit supervisor with the DNR.

The streamside rearing facility is an important component of lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in the Cheboygan River watershed. The facility conducts research to increase our understanding of lake sturgeon, thanks to DNR, federal, Great Lakes Fishery Trust and Sturgeon For Tomorrow funds. Results provide much-needed guidance for managers involved in lake sturgeon recovery efforts, while improving the effectiveness of lake sturgeon culture and stocking efforts.

The sturgeon fingerlings reared at the hatchery are scheduled to be released into the Black River and Mullett Lake Aug. 20 after the tours conclude.

The hatchery is located in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River adjacent to the Kleber Dam. From M-68 2 miles west of Onaway, take Black River Road (F-05) north to Twin School Road, then west a little over 3 miles to the hatchery, which is on the north side of the road just before the dam.

For more information on lake sturgeon and getting involved in rehabilitation efforts, visit Michigan.gov/Sturgeon or glsturgeon.com or call 231-625-2776.

Guided Sturgeon Viewing & Hatchery Tour

Tour is FULL

Sturgeon Guarding Program

Saturday May 14, 2022 • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Meet at 10:45 at Lorenzo's Lounge & Restaurant
1164 S. Black River Rd., Onaway, MI 49765

We will carpool about 5 miles on two tracks to the Upper Black River. While there you will witness the research team net sturgeon, and learn of our collaborative programming as we continue on our quest to restore and rehabilitate the iconic lake sturgeon. We will then drive to the nearby streamside hatchery. Polarized sunglasses are very helpful to see down through the surface of the water. Please bring your camera, video gear and whatever you would like to drink or snack on. We will conduct our tour rain or shine.

The Tour is free. Registration Required!

To register: email
- First and Last Name of participants
- City
- Phone number
- Number of participants

News & Events

Site of the Month by the Great Lakes Information Network

SFT honored with Site of the Month Award for April 2012 from the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN). SFT is a Great Lakes Information Network Partner.

More Ways You Can Make A Difference…

You can help raise money for Sturgeon For Tomorrow just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch - powered by Yahoo! We are now using GoodSearch.com to search the Internet. Every time we do, money goes to Sturgeon For Tomorrow.

For more ways you can help support our programs, please see our fundraising page.

Sturgeon For Tomorrow - Black Lake Chapter