Lake Sturgeon are bottom-dwelling fish found in large rivers and lakes, at depths generally between 5 and 10 m, sometimes greater. Spawning occurs in the spring in fast-flowing water at depths between 0.6 and 5 m over hard-pan clay, sand, gravel and boulders.

The Lake Sturgeon has a cartilaginous skeleton and shark-like caudal fin. It has external bony scutes rather than scales on larvae and juveniles; less pronounced on larger fishes with a ventrally located mouth. The Lake Sturgeon is dark to light brown in colour on back and sides, with a lighter belly. They may live to over 100 years (oldest known specimen, about 154 years old from Lake of the Woods, Ontario). Sexual maturity is reached at 18 to 20 years in males and 20 to 24 years in females.