Shorthead redhorse and shovelnose sturgeon are both rare and seldom seen species in Oklahoma and are considered "species of special concern". The fisheries workers reported that they were "blown away by the number and variety of fish they observed in downtown Tulsa". "It's amazing that so many fish are living here, literally right in our backyards, and we really had no idea the extent to which this was all going on".
Shovelnose sturgeon are very rare in Oklahoma and their harvest is extremely discouraged, however if you do encounter one of these rare fish please report it to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at (918) 683-1031.