The goal is to restore a wild, self-sustaining lake sturgeon population in the urban river that runs up the northeast side of the metro area.

The spring catch-and-release sturgeon season on Rainy River has seen many big fish including one that measured more than 80-inches, according to Department of Natural Resources officials.

The agency found listing the sturgeon as threatened or endangered may be warranted based on threats from dams and hydroelectric facilities, along with river dredging and channelization. Other threats ...