KEPO Lake Sturgeon Study

04/14/2021

The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) would like to inform the community of the second phase of a Lake Sturgeon study taking place in the St. Lawrence River near the Mercier Bridge. As part of on-going discussions with the Quebec Transport Ministry, KEPO raised concerns about potential impacts of bridge modifications to the known and potential spawning grounds near the bridge. This led to the development of a multi-year study to assess potential project impacts. The first phase of this work took place in 2019 and identified suitable habitat within the study area for Lake Sturgeon.

Phase 2 of the project will confirm whether the identified potential habitat is being actively used by sturgeon. This will be done by placing egg mats on the bottom of the river and counting eggs that have landed on them. Fishing will also take place to identify locations where sturgeon are gathering during the spawning period.

The project will be done in collaboration with the Quebec Wildlife Ministry, a consultant hired by KEPO, a local fisherman and staff from KEPO.

Work will begin when suitable conditions for spawning are present, likely between the last week of April and mid-June.

For questions, please contact KEPO at 450-635-0600 or Environment.Protection@mck.ca.