Research shows that eggs can hatch in 4 days to 2 weeks, depending on water temperature, and it has been estimated that white sturgeon reach maturity in 5-11 years. In North America, white sturgeon are found from Ensenada, Mexico to Cook Inlet, Alaska. Found in most estuaries along the Pacific coast, white sturgeon prefer estuaries of large rivers. However, it is rare to find white sturgeon in Puget Sound or Hood Canal, Washington. White sturgeon rely on streams, rivers, and estuarine habitat as well as marine waters during their lifecycle.
Research indicates that water flow is one of the key determinants of larval survival.
Young white sturgeon primarily feed on algae and aquatic insects while remaining in rivers and estuarine environments. White sturgeon primarily feed on fish, shellfish, crayfish, and on various aquatic invertebrates, clams, amphipods, and shrimp. The building of dams has negatively impacted white sturgeon by creating landlocked populations and destroying spawning grounds by altering water flow. White sturgeon do not normally use fish ladders, so bypass mitigation measures tend to be unsuccessful. Because of its long life span white sturgeon tend to concentrate pollutants in their flesh.