Kraig Smith, a graduate student from Central Michigan University, is leading the research, which is funded by a grant through the Department of Natural Resources. Pat DeHaan, a graduate student from Michigan State University, is handling the genetic research portion of the project. Smith said that since the Black River sturgeon population hasn't been studied much in the past there really isn't any literature to refer to from past studies. Research currently taking place will provide not only answers, but also questions and lay the groundwork for future research. In the first phase of the project, Smith and a partner, either DeHaan or Tom Trayban of the DNR Fisheries Division, wade into the river and capture and tag the fish.
Researchers use long-handled landing nets to capture the fish.
They usually net the fish in deeper holes and then bring them into shallow water to work with them. Although some of the fish weigh more than 100 pounds, they normally don't thrash and fight the process too strenuously. Smith says the smaller fish tend to fight more than the larger fish. Once in the shallows, researchers place two tags in the fish. One is a brightly colored external tag.