Sturgeon on the Rise – A Guide to Spotting a Giant Flying Fish

by Jamie Brunkow, JRA's Lower James Riverkeeper

From the falls of Richmond to the expansive estuary near Jamestown, an ancient creature is returning to its spawning habitat in the James River. It’s continuing a fall migration that has taken place for eons. And it’s showing signs of an endangered species attempting to make a comeback.

Sturgeons have persisted since the age of the dinosaurs, making them one of the oldest groups of fish in existence today. They’ve been around so long, that they’ve earned the moniker “living fossils.” Yet the arrival and industrialization of mankind proved to be more than the sturgeon could contend with. Overfishing and loss of habitat have sent the Atlantic Sturgeon population to the brink of collapse.

But in the James River the story of Atlantic Sturgeon has taken a remarkable turn in recent years. It’s clear that sturgeon are not only in the James, but that they’re leaping out of the water during their fall spawning season. Yes – the behavior commonly associated with flipper and other mammalian relatives known as “breaching,” is not uncommon among sturgeon. With a little luck, a fall visit to some portions of the James River can offer an unforgettable experience to the onlooker.

A breach may last less than a second, and if you’re not fast enough you may see only a splash. To increase your odds, here are some of the top places to spot a sturgeon from August to mid-November.

1.       Presquile National Wildlife Refuge – In recent years, more sturgeon have been caught and tagged here for research than anywhere else in the James. The River near Presquile is accessible by boat, and on a good day it’s not uncommon to see 2-3 sturgeon breaching in a half hour period. This is also the site of JRA’s experimental “spawning reef,” which was designed to encourage spawning and to mimic the hard substrate bottom where sturgeon prefer to lay their row.

2.       City Point, Hopewell – Just downstream from Presquile, the James River widens tremendously at the confluence with the Appomattox River. City Point Waterfront Park overlooks the area where the two Rivers meet, offering visitors a scenic view from the water’s edge and an excellent vantage point for any breaching sturgeon. You’re probably just as likely to see a breach here as you are near Presquile.

3.       The Fall Line at Richmond – For those who like to rock hop and explore the riffles and pools around Richmond, the fall season can offer an additional bonus. Researchers believe the rocky bottom and swift moving water found at the Fall Line is the preferred spawning habitat for sturgeon. You’re unlikely to see a breach here, but if you’re lucky you can spot one of these giant fish through the water column. In late September 2012, several sturgeon were spotted from the Mayo Bridge – as large as six feet long. Historically they’ve been spotted as far upstream as Bosher Dam.

4.       Deep Water Terminal – Accessible by boat and right on the edge of Richmond, the River near Deep Water Terminal is great for sturgeon seeking city dwellers. The fairly narrow channel here can mean that when a sturgeon does breach, it’s hard to miss. And reports of sturgeon are common here during the fall spawning season – just be sure one doesn’t land in your boat.

5.       Chickahominy River – If the Chickahominy is your neck of the woods, keep your eyes peeled for an occasional five foot sturgeon breaching out of the water. Although little is still known about the extent of sturgeon spawning habitat in the James River watershed, Sturgeon may have historically utilized more of the Chickahominy than we currently understand. As early as August 2012, a sturgeon was seen breaching near the mouth of Shipyard Creek, on the Chickahominy River.

Earlier in 2012, Atlantic Sturgeon were listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, scientists believe sturgeon numbers are still far too few. Moratoriums on catching sturgeon have been in place for decades, but the fish is slow growing and slow to reproduce – not reaching sexual maturity until approximately 10 years. Sturgeon in the James River are far from a complete recovery. Our continued actions to protect the species are critical to bringing them back – and are a constant reminder of how extraordinarily lucky we are to have them in the James River.