Events

Did you know fish six feet long and one hundred years old are swimming Lake Huron, the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair? There are fewer Lake sturgeon today than a century ago because they’re a threatened species, but of the sturgeon still roaming the Great Lakes, most of them are in the St. Clair River. Over 10,000 Lake Sturgeon call underneath the Blue Water Bridges home which makes it possible to see these gentle giants at our Blue Water Sturgeon Festival!

Visitors can experience a close encounter with the Great Lakes’ largest fish with a live sturgeon touch tank, hands-on activities, workshops, Native American drum ceremony, food, music and more. Festival parking, admission and activities are free.

Sturgeon Festival also offers an exclusive experience with these giants aboard Port Huron’s premier sightseeing boat, The Huron Lady. Throughout this expertly narrated cruise, you can ask questions to the biologists who study Lake Sturgeon, learn about the latest Great Lakes sturgeon research, and watch live sturgeon research activities under the Blue Water Bridges. The Huron Lady Sturgeon Cruises are at 11am and 1pm, and tickets are available at huronlady.com.

Affectionately known as the “Gentle Giant of the Great Lakes”, Lake Sturgeon are phenomenal to see up close. They can weigh up to 150 pounds, grow over 7 feet, and live over 100 years. Once on the brink of extinction and added to Michigan’s Threatened Species list, Lake Sturgeon are making a comeback and have become a spotlight species for the habitat restoration work completed in the St. Clair River.

Since the Sturgeon Festival was hatched in 2014, Friends of the St. Clair River has been highlighting the fascinating story of this ancient fish – a mascot for the Great Lakes recovery. The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival is our largest annual fundraiser and funds raised during the festival support our education and conservation programs.