The annual abundance estimates are critical for setting safe harvest quotas for the population in Black Lake. Long term monitoring of spawning adults and resulting long-term capture-mark-recapture data led to the development of a novel method of population estimation which is used to annually determine adult population size for males and females. Research has largely focused on identification of factors that contribute to low levels of natural recruitment in the Black Lake population, including sources and levels of mortality during early life (egg, larval) stages. Lake sturgeon research and outreach activities center around a stream-side research and hatchery facility. At the Black Lake sturgeon facility, research has been a major focus resulting in significant advancements in understanding lake sturgeon ecology and impediments to natural recruitment and population growth.

In 2002, MSU and the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division began a collaborative partnership to focus on lake sturgeon at Black Lake in Cheboygan County.

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