PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. – A man catfishing along a Missouri river was surprised when he reeled in an unexpected prehistoric fish.
The Missouri Department of Conservation said Chandler Lee Tudor hooked and landed a 4-foot lake sturgeon out of the Gasconade River in Pulaski County earlier this week.
Tudor was using worms as bait attempting to catch a catfish as he was fishing at the Riddle Bridge Access.
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Wildlife officials say lake sturgeon are large and prehistoric fish that live in the Missouri and Mississippi river systems. They can grow to lengths of 8 feet and weigh up to 300 pounds.
“Lake sturgeon are protected as an endangered species in Missouri and must be returned to the water if captured,” the MDC said.
After a quick picture to document the catch, the MDC said the fish was immediately released back into the Gasconade River.