Rusting and Lake Sturgeon

I tried my hand at rusting today. Took some silk, one white and one dyed and soaked them in vinegar. Then out to my BIG very rusted iron pot....it has been rusting in the snow all winter. I wrapped the silk around the pot, and put it into a plastic bag. I am not sure how long to leave it, but will check tomorrow.

I had a wonderful day yesterday. We drove over to Black Lake and got to see lake sturgeon spawning in the Black River. We followed 4 Michigan state PhD students as they netted and tagged both males and females.

Did you know that female sturgeon live to be 150 years old? And that males live to be maybe 80. The females are larger ofter more them 7 feet long. Females do not begin to spawn until they are at least 15-20 years old and them spawn usually only once every two to four years.
Males seem to mature earlier and spawn at about 12.

It was a beautiful day to be on the river...just enough wind to keep the bugs away but still warm enough for just a light jacket.


Yesterday we saw one that was 100 lbs...and about 5 to 6 feel. While they tagged the fish, we got to see it up close and personal. If you want to calm the fish while it is being tagged you put your fingers in its mouth!