These anadromous fish are found from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico and swim through the Chesapeake Bay in April and May on their way into tributaries, which they use as spawning grounds and nurseries. At one time spawning probably occurred in all large tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, but Atlantic sturgeon are rare in the Bay today. Recent evidence suggests limited spawning in the James and York rivers. Individual fish spawn only every two to six years, releasing large, sticky eggs that scatter and become attached to the bottom, preferably to a hard substrate. In the mid-Atlantic region, females reach sexual maturity between 7 and 12 years of age, when they are roughly seven feet in length, and their individual fecundity is high, estimated at 800,000 to 3.76 million eggs per female.
Males mature earlier than females.
Fish in the northern part of the species range typically mature at a later age than those in the southern part of the range. Within four to six weeks of spawning, females typically move downstream, while males may remain in the river or lower estuary until autumn when the temperature drops. Most juveniles remain in the fresh or brackish water of their natal river for one to six years before migrating into coastal waters. While at sea, Atlantic sturgeon appear to remain close to the coast. Since colonial times, Atlantic sturgeon have supported commercial fisheries of varying magnitude.