Species guide
How to catch Shovelnose sturgeon
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

freshwatergame fishAcipenseridae
The shovelnose sturgeon is a freshwater fish with an elongated body and a distinctive shovel-shaped snout. It primarily feeds on insects and small macrofauna. This species is considered a game fish and can grow up to about 1 meter in length.
Where they live
Found in freshwater rivers and streams across North America, especially favoring sandy or muddy bottoms where it hunts for insects.
Typical size
Up to about 108 cm
What they eat
- insects
- small macrofauna
Best baits
- worms
- insect larvae
- small minnows
Best lures
- soft plastic bottom dwellers
- jig heads
- sinker rigs
How to fish for them
- bottom fishing
- drift fishing
- using bait rigs on or near the riverbed
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