Sturgeon Fishing Season on Black Lake Lasts Only 48 Minutes

679 registered anglers compete for 6 fish harvest limit in annual event

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The 2026 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake in Cheboygan County, Michigan lasted only 48 minutes for 679 registered anglers. The harvest limit for the season was 6 lake sturgeon, which was reached when the 6th fish was caught by Aaron Maltby at 8:48 a.m. on Saturday. In 2025, the season lasted just 17 minutes with 7 fish harvested among 776 anglers.

Why it matters

Sturgeon fishing in Michigan has been tightly regulated for nearly a century, with a limited sport fishery allowed on inland lakes like Black Lake since 1948. The brief duration of the season highlights the high demand and competition among anglers for the opportunity to catch these rare and protected fish.

The details

The 2026 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake opened at 8 a.m. on Saturday and could have run until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, but was officially closed when the 6th fish was caught. The 679 registered anglers caught 6 sturgeon, with the largest being a 79.4 pound female caught by Jordan Guelig. Ice fishing conditions in the region have generally been better this year compared to recent years, which has allowed more anglers to access the lake.

  • The 2026 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake opened at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
  • The season officially ended at 8:48 a.m. on Saturday when the 6th sturgeon was caught by Aaron Maltby.
  • In 2025, the lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake officially ended in 17 minutes with 7 fish harvested among 776 registered anglers.

The players

Chris Courtries

The first angler to register his catch, a 50 pound male sturgeon measuring 61.5 inches.

Aaron Maltby

Caught the 6th and final sturgeon of the 2026 season, a 58.4 pound female measuring 62.5 inches.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Sets the conditions for when the sturgeon fishing season officially closes on Black Lake, which happens either when the 6th fish is harvested or when 5 fish have been harvested at the end of any official fishing day.

Tim Cwalinski

DNR Fisheries Unit supervisor in Gaylord, who noted that ice fishing conditions have generally been better this year compared to recent years.

National Weather Service (NWS)

Reported record breaking low temperatures so far in 2026, likely contributing to the fair ice fishing conditions.

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What they’re saying

“We haven't heard too many complaints. We have stronger ice in general … people are getting out and fishing. They're not sitting on their couch.”

— Tim Cwalinski, DNR Fisheries Unit supervisor in Gaylord (thealpenanews.com)

“The year before we had very sketchy ice.”

— Tim Cwalinski, DNR Fisheries Unit supervisor in Gaylord (thealpenanews.com)

The takeaway

The brief 48-minute duration of the 2026 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake underscores the high demand and competition among anglers for the opportunity to catch these rare and protected fish, which have been tightly regulated in Michigan for nearly a century.