FV or MV stages indicate a fish that is not yet sexually mature. The winter spearing season has been active since 1932 on Lake Winnebago and 1952 on the Upriver Lakes, with regulations adjusting over the years, according to reports from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Clubs are constantly monitoring the situation on Lake Winnebago and upriver. We talked to many excited participants, like 12-year-old Abigail Derksen, who registered her first fish from Lake Winnebago! Young of year Gizzard Shad abundances in Lake Winnebago during the Lake Winnebago trawl assessment. Then in her 50s, the lake began rumbling as the first fuel-injected snowmobile took to the ice in 1991. It's sturgeon spearfishing season in Wisconsin, and the shanties are inhabited by those hoping to spear a beast of a sturgeon. James Gishkowsky speared a massive 177.3-pound, 79.9-inch female sturgeon from Lake Winnebago. To learn more, visit our sturgeon registration stations and ask our friendly DNR staff about F6 females. Village Clerk/Treasurer Lisa Averkamp said theres nothing like the camaraderie of sturgeon spearing. This female was an F4 or black egg fish. Only 3,100 shacks were counted during Saturdays aerial counts, down significantly from the almost 6,000 shacks last year. One entrepreneur sold unique signs at the Stockbridge registration station outside Harbor Bar. To help with the registration process, the DNR asks that all harvested sturgeon be placed on the tailgate or in an easily accessible location. Joe Sheilds speared a 125.6 lbs., 73.4 inches, F4 female. The spearing season that Wisconsinites know today began back in the early 1930s on Lake Winnebago with the spearing eventually being extended to the Upriver Lakes in the 1950s. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural. Essential tools of the trade for sturgeon spearing on the Lake Winnebago system include strong, multi-pronged and barbed spears, strong rope, decoys and a gaff. In the Upriver Lakes, the largest harvest was in 2000, and saw2,169 sturgeon speared. This fish was speared by Kenneth Rach. As the spearing season wraps up, many of the sturgeon ready to spawn this year are going to look towards the Upriver Lakes and the Wolf River to prepare for their migration. The sturgeon spearing season length is usually dictated in part by water clarity of the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago. Each spearing group has its traditions that they celebrate with each passing year. As a result, only one fish has been registered at the Indian Point registration station since Tuesday. The biggest fish on the Upriver Lakes weighed in at 143.2 lbs. This season was one for the books, with a variety of weather patterns packed into a short 16 days: warm weather, rain and a winter storm. Gishkowsky said he targets the fish by locating the small, red mud worms they feed on. Today, 26 fish were harvested on Lake Winnebago (3 juvenile females, 13 adult females, and 10 males). This massive fish was an F4 female measuring 75.6 inches and speared by Rebecca Van Handel. Do not forget to check with your local fishing club for up-to-date ice conditions. One fishery occurs on Lake Winnebago, where the number of licenses sold for that fishery is not restricted, and an individual spearer can only purchase one license per season. This balance between a good number of big fish and fish on the smaller end of the spectrum is another indication of a healthy sturgeon population in the Winnebago system. Youth who turn 12 years of age between Nov. 1 and the last day of the spearing season can purchase a spearing license after the deadline. Note: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DNR urges spearers and spectators to practice social distancing and to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. The effort pays off for individual spearers as well: existing sturgeon now have a better opportunity to grow older and older and bigger and bigger. All it would take is a multi-yearabundance of gizzard shad fish, the sturgeon's fattiest food source, to "shake up" the record books,Ryan Koenigs wrote in the 2019 season summary from the DNR. Korey Krupp speared the largest sturgeon from Lake Winnebago with a 135.5-pound, 76.1-inch female. In Lake Winnebago, 1995 saw the largest sturgeon harvest between 1941 and 2020, reporting 3,173 sturgeon speared during the season, before the harvest caps were implemented, according to the DNR. Years with good Gizzard Shad populations correlate with years when Lake Sturgeon increased weight due to the fat deposits from this fatty forage source. Updated: Feb 20, 2022 / 12:48 PM CST. The Indian Point registration station led the way for the Upriver Lakes, with 73 fish registered. Happy opening day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season! Both fish were among 21 sturgeon weighing more than 100 pounds speared on Saturday, and 26 sturgeon speared throughout the weekend. The tradition draws thousands of participants and spectators out. | Male stages are similar, with M1 males not ready to spawn, while M2 males were ready to spawn in spring 2023. Check with local fishing clubs and conservation groups for local ice condition information as the DNR does not monitor ice conditions. Both fish were among 21 sturgeon weighing more than 100 pounds speared on Saturday, and 26. The WI DNR records indicate that 491 sturgeon were harvested in Lake Winnebago which ranked 51st highest dating back to 1941 (80 seasons). A person who spears a sturgeon must accompany the fish to a DNR-operated sturgeon registration station by 2 p.m. on the day it was speared. Yet both spearers and biologists report good numbers of shad within sturgeon stomachs, particularly in the southern portion of the lake. This small, oily forage fish has a drastic boom and bust population cycle in Lake Winnebago. Because of this, only 261 fish were harvested throughout the system (42 juvenile females, 93 adult females and 126 males). Please follow the signs and cones at each registration station to ensure a smooth registration. It was nice to see families and friends taking advantage of the last weekend of this spearing season. Despite the impending winter storm, a few anglers made it out on the ice Wednesday. The partnerships we have with the spearing community, the funding generated from sturgeon spearing and the donations from various sportsmans groups have made our movement, or telemetry, program possible. Spearers with tags for Lake Winnebago may continue to harvest sturgeon on Lake Winnebago until harvest caps are reached or until the Lake Winnebago System harvest caps are reached. The DNR said Ice conditions likely prevented many from participating this year. This reproductive stage is called F6. Only one sturgeon speared on the Lake Winnebago system has weighed in at over 200 pounds, butthe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says that record could soon be shattered. Regulations related to minnow use and transportation (VHS rules) on the Winnebago system apply. As she continued to grow, she swam through the Winnebago System for about 13 years, dodging the set lines on the Upper River lakes until 1952, when set lining was eliminated. Fifty-four fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (5 juvenile females, 28 adult females, 21 males) and 7 from the Upriver Lakes (0 juvenile females, 3 adult females, 4 males). fish harvested today. The lake is 35 miles long. In 2022, the longest fish speared was an 83.6-inch female weighing 157.5 pounds. Generally, the spears are constructed with long handles, 6-8' in length, and have detachable spearheads. It was speared by Jackson Goldapske and registered at the Southwest Winnebago station. Now, Schroeder's sturgeon ranks fourth in the top 11 largestspearedin the system. These efforts have helped strengthen and grow sturgeon populations nationwide, including in Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. Here are some of our best shots from opening day. The Upriver Lakes added their fishery lottery in 2007 for the same reason. By the time itwas speared byJonathan Eiden in 2019, its weight had reached only 171 pounds, though this still-impressive catch demonstrated the potential for the lake system's fish. David Propson Sixty-one fish were harvested between Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes. While other species of sturgeon, such as Atlantic and Gulf sturgeon, have scutes, these sturgeon will keep the scutes for their lifetime. Once again, congratulations to all our successful spearers. Colder weather is on its way into the area tonight so we may see an increase in spearing activity tomorrow. And though the DNR sold 13,219 sturgeon spearing licenses for the 2023 season, up from 12,694 in 2022, only 3,100 shacks were counted on the Feb. 11 opener, down from about 6,000 the previous year. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported ice conditions likely kept some spearfishers on shore. Be safe! In 2008, cities surrounding Lake Winnebago were hit with a large storm, causing major flooding and extensive damage to many homes around Lake Winnebago. Warmer temperatures this winter prevented biologists from safely conducting water clarity assessments until this week. Sixteen fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (1 juvenile female, 6 adult females, 9 males) and 3 from the Upriver lakes (1 juvenile female, 1 adult female, 1 male). The largest fish harvested today was an 81.1-pound male which was 64.5 inches long. This fish was speared by Anthony Bovee. It was an F4 female measuring 75.6 inches. In 2004, the DNR partnered with multiple conservation groups to create a network of acoustic telemetry receivers to track the movements of sturgeon within the rivers, lakes and tributaries of the Winnebago System. reach out to Angie Gade at 920-517-6749. The snow and winter weather likely caused the slow spearing day. Explaining the Increasing Trend in Support for Underwater Cameras for Sturgeon Spearing on the Lake Winnebago System [PDF]. There were also 21 fish harvested over 100 lbs., with 16 from Lake Winnebago and 5 from the Upriver Lakes. There were 3 fish harvested today over 100 pounds. We will continue to keep you posted on what stations are opened or closed. On Valentines Day, a Wisconsin ice fisherman named James Gishkowsky speared a massive sturgeon through an ice hole on Lake Winnebago. harvested today. The questions below are some of the more frequently asked by spearers. Ninety-three fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (11 juvenile females, 49 adult females, and 33 males). Check out the Heavy Hitters Club, the largest fish speared over 170 pounds on the Lake Winnebago system since 1941. With better water clarity this year, we should see a good harvest, though the warm weather could deteriorate ice conditions which may reduce spearing success. The Upriver Season will continue to be open tomorrow. The DNRs involvement in lake sturgeon rehabilitation programs and partnerships with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the U.S. View the full details in todays harvest report. Lake sturgeon spearing is highly regulated in Wisconsin, with limited numbers collected annually in the Winnebago system. Likewise, any sturgeon harvested from lakes Poygan, Butte des Morts or Winneconne must be registered at one of the Upriver Lakes registration stations. I think I see a few less shacks out there. According to the Department . All license holders must be a minimum of 12 years old. For females, stages F1 and F2 indicate a fish that was not ready to spawn this year or even next. 1969 and 1973 are tied for smallest harvest years, yielding eight sturgeon each. Only through the meticulous management of the lake sturgeon population in the Winnebago System can sturgeon such as this one thrive. Josh Ausloos speared the final "biggest fish of the day" for this season, a 106.9 pound, 75.4 inches, F1 female registered at the Pipe registration station. On this final day of the season, 53 Lake Sturgeon were harvested (4 juvenile females, 29 adult females and 20 males). The 2023seasonruns a maximum of 16 days or until the pre-determined harvest caps are met. Licenses for the Lake Winnebago spear fishery must be purchased before Oct. 31, 2020, except for military personnel home on leave during the spearing season and youth turning 12 years old between Nov. 1, 2020 and the last day of the 2021 spearing season. Some locations will continue to offer the drive-thru registration option. During her first few years, she grew and thrived while World War II was waging in Europe. Season Photos Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition. | If you're interested in making a tax-deductible donation please. All applicants that are not awarded a permit accumulate a preference point for use in future drawings. Of that total, 353 sturgeon came from Lake Winnebago, and 169 came from the Upriver Lakes. While we all continue to hope for cold weather, Monday's forecast continues to look bright, sunny and warm. Licenses for both fisheries are $20 for Wisconsin residents and $65 for nonresidents and can be purchased through the GoWild system or at any license sales location. A darkened shack or enclosure is required for better visibility. Continue to be safe if you are headed back out tomorrow. Samuel O'Connell hauled in a 162.6-pound, 76.1-inch female on Lake Poygan not only the biggest fish of the season so far, but the biggest from the Upriver Lakes since 2012. Congrats to all successful spearers. Hes like three miles out in the lake. About 42,000 sturgeon are in the Winnebago system, and this year's harvest limits in Lake Winnebago for the sturgeon spearing season are capped at 430 juvenile females, 950 adult females and . Its a family atmosphere. The spearing season begins on the second Saturday in February and lasts for 16 days or until any of the sex-specific harvest caps for that fishery have been reached. Wisconsin DNR Gerald Peterson's 154.9-pound, 83.4-inch female sturgeon speared on the third day of the 2017 season was about five inchers longer but only two-tenths of a pound heavier than Schumacher's opening day trophy. Good luck to those who brave the ice and rain tomorrow. As we approach the weekend, we wish all the spearers luck. In 1979, the same year ESPN launched its cable network, the first successful efforts to propagate lake sturgeon artificially occurred. Then I turned around to adjust my stove, and when I turned back and this giant fish is in my hole. The last day continued to prove to be exciting on Lake Winnebago with cold weather and sunshine. The tag does not need to be attached to the sturgeon unless the license holder leaves the fish. Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that will run for a maximum of 16 days (Feb. 26) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met. This year's season came to an end for the Upriver Lakes on Saturday, yielding the largest harvest since 2007 with 364 sturgeon. Only 7 fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago today, with 1 juvenile female, 3 adult females and 3 males. (WFRV) - Day eight of sturgeon spearing season proved to be a bit more fruitful for spearers out on Lake Winnebago. Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition and culture. Gerald Petersons 154.9-pound, 83.4-inch female sturgeon speared on the third day of the 2017 season was about five inchers longer but only two-tenths of a pound heavier than Schumachers opening day trophy. Click here to view the full Day 8 Harvest Report. Ice conditions are worsening in the Winnebago System. Track the rest of the season online here. An unlicensed person or person, who has already filled their tag, cannot be inside a shanty alone with a spear. (WFRV) - The sun wasn't the only thing shining on the second to last day of the sturgeon spearing season. Spearers can find the full water clarity report, season forecast and daily harvest updates on theWinnebago System sturgeon spearing webpageand bysigning up for email updates. In total, 115 juvenile females have been harvested, 481 adult females, and 442 males on Lake Winnebago. Another one came from Charles Jet, who seems to know what he's doing when it comes to spearing. The current annual season tradition began in 2007 and addedthelottery fishery to preservation efforts, and since then, the shortest season was reported in 2012 at only two days. Spearing season runs for a maximum of 16 days or until harvest caps are met. This is about half the fish that were registered yesterday. On opening weekend, only about 3,000 ice shanties were counted. She lived through many changes in governments, environmental impacts, technological advances and regulation changes. Red worm abundance was up on the Upriver Lakes this year, but the harvest was more affected by ice conditions than anything else. Tags Sturgeon Sturgeon Spearing Sturgeon Spearing Season Lake Winnebago Be safe if you are headed back out onto the ice. At the registration station, DNR staff look for signs of this spawning activity while they are identifying a sturgeons sex. Lake Winnebago has the. Every February, people migrate to the Winnebago System to take part in the annual lake sturgeon spear fishery, said Ryan Koenigs, DNR Winnebago sturgeon biologist. As sturgeon grow to larger sizes, such as the 100-pound fish we see during the spearing season, they do not need protection from these scutes. Upriver, there are still 3 adult females left until the 90% trigger is activated or 11 more adult females until the 100% cap is reached. For the season, 1,405 fish were harvested on the entire Winnebago system (155 juvenile females, 599 adult females and 651 males). Most decoys are carved into the shape of a fish, but spearers are also superstitious by nature and have been known to deploy just about anything as a decoy, including copper jello molds, CDs, and white coffee cups. Two fish today were registered over 100 pounds. Remember to be safe and that no ice is 100% safe. It won't be long before spring become summerand Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. If you asked some of the nearly 13,000 people on the icy surface of Wisconsins Lake Winnebago system on opening day of the 2017 lake sturgeon spearing season, youd get a wide variety of answers. Send us your photos using this photo submission form. They both stayed outside the hole. Locations are listed in the sturgeon season regulation packet. On Valentine's Day, a Wisconsin ice fisherman named James Gishkowsky speared a massive sturgeon through an ice hole on Lake Winnebago. Congrats Samuel! The warm weather may have prevented many spearers from taking to the ice, but it did make for an enjoyable weekend at the registration stations. Sturgeon spearing day 1: great memories, fewer shacks, Fewer sturgeon spearers due to poor ice conditions, Willie Nelson celebrating 90th birthday with 2-day concert event, Note titled hit list found at Sturgeon Bay High School, Human remains found in marshy location in Little Lake Butte des Morts in Fox Crossing, More than 48,000 people died by suicide in the US in 2021, FIRST ALERT WEATHER: Wet mix with snow and rain sticks around, CONSUMER FIRST ALERT: Check scams don't die, Public File Assistance Contact - (920) 432-3331. With 285 fish harvested Upriver this spearing season, there was just over a 50% success rate for spearers with Upriver tags. Photos of spearers with their catch, cutting in, shanty life, scenic views observed during the season or any other captivating spearing traditions are encouraged. Not only were spearers successful today but they were also treated to some large fish. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In 2019, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Sturgeon Advisory Committee voted to move forward with banning technology, and the DNR began working on a scope statement. Only 3,100 shacks were counted during Saturday's aerial counts, down significantly from the almost 6,000 shacks last year. It is restricted to 500 license holders per season due to the higher success rate of licensed spearers (62% vs. 9% on Lake Winnebago). We cant wait to see everyone out on the ice next year. fishing . Locations can be found in the sturgeon spearing regulation packet or on the DNR's sturgeon spearing webpage. LAKE WINNEBAGO, Wis. - Anglers in Wisconsin are camping out on the ice this weekend, spear in hand, with the hopes of snagging a freshwater giant. This makes 5 sturgeon over 100 pounds registered at the Oshkosh registration station for the season. Water clarity is one of the strongest predictors of lake sturgeon harvest in the Winnebago System during the spearing season. At the start of the new millennium, at about 60 years old and roughly 74 inches long, she started to feel vibrations from the music playing around the lake after the convenience of the iPod was invented by Apple in 2001. Those caps are 1,200 male sturgeon, 875 adult females, and 400 juvenile females. Track the rest of the season online here. It was a trial run for the new harvest cap system, during a time when spearing in the Upriver Lakes was limited to every two to five years. I think it supersedes deer hunting, Averkamp said. The fishing clubs use caution. fishing. Spearers with tags for the Upriver lakes can continue to spear until 1 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 18, 2023. The largest fish from the Upriver lakes was a 162.6 lbs., 76.1-inch female from Lake Poygan. As it gets warmer, of course the ice will deteriorate on top first. Send us your photosfrom the season, and we may use them in future DNR outreach efforts. (WFRV) - The 2022 sturgeon spearing season officially wrapped up on Sunday with spearers already looking forward to next year. Its these smaller fish (generally 55 inches or smaller) that will one day replace the larger fish. Following the drawing, there is no deadline for those who are successful to purchase a license on the Upriver Lakes. We wish the best of luck to everyone! Updated: Feb 27, 2022 / 10:42 AM CST. People are also reading OUR VIEW: 6 big reasons to vote today If you do choose to go out, please review our ice safety tips. Most of the fish on the top 11 "Heavy Hitters Club" chart, including the current record, were speared between 2010 and 2013, coinciding with strong hatches of the gizzard shad. The annual sturgeon spearing season kicks off at 7 a.m. on Saturday and runs for 16 days or until set harvest caps are reached. Winnebago System sturgeon spearing webpage, Office of Communications connects journalists with DNR experts. The small Village of Stockbridge, Wisconsin has trademarked the name Sturgeon Center of the World and it certainly seemed like it on Februaru 11, opening day of Wisconsins 2017 Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season. The survey also asked about spearers' involvement in sturgeon management with the WCC or other committees, as well as general knowledge of lake sturgeon life history. This is half of what was counted in 2022. but also enough resources to allow the next generation to thrive. Congratulations to all our successful spearers today! At 85.5 inches, Eiden's sturgeon could have surpassed a different record, ifrecords were determinedby length as well as weight. Of these fish, 1,169 sturgeon were harvested from Lake Winnebago, resulting in a success rate of 9.6%, making it the second-highest success rate in seven years. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural . Published Feb 16, 2023 3:37 PM EST. Once the hole is cut, the equipment used to attract and harvest a fish is often hand-crafted heirlooms passed down through generations. While theres no residency requirement for spearfishing for Winnebago lake sturgeon, WDNR says that most of the participating anglers live within 60 miles of the lake. This year also yielded the highest-known opening day shanty count, with 2,079. Over the years, the season has grown into a unique cultural event rich in tradition. Copyright 2023 WBAY. When you register your fish, DNR staff not only identifies the sex of the sturgeon as female (F) or male (M), but they also identify where they are in their reproductive cycle. Guelig says the sturgeon was a mature adult female that had an estimated 50 pounds of highly-prized roe, which Guelig will make into caviar. The season opens Feb. 11, 2023, for Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes of Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan. System-wide harvest caps for the 2021 Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season are 430 juvenile females, 950 adult females and 1,200 males. As the snow passes and the sun comes out, spearers are starting to take to the ice again. The spearing season for this prehistoric fish will open on Feb. 13, 2021 for Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes of Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan, running for a maximum of 16 days or until any of the pre-determined harvest caps are reached. The Quinney and Poygan registration stations will remain closed. This winter event is rich in tradition, and 2021 will be another year for spearers to uphold or create new traditions in pursuit of the fish of a lifetime.. This will likely mean the ice will continue to change. You could see a line of trailers along Merritt Avenue in Oshkosh that people used to get their four-wheelers out onto the ice. News of the scandal comes as Wisconsin's annual 16-day sturgeon spearing season begins Saturday on the state's Winnebago lakes system. The winds have blown away hazard markers indicating cracks and shoves. Contact:DNR Office of CommunicationsDNRPress@wisconsin.gov. The season on the Upriver Lakes is closed. Liv Halbach, his daughter studying fisheries at Stevens Point, was working the station as a volunteer with the DNR. Sturgeon spearing 2021 second weekend brings in 256 catches; Upriver Lakes season closes with record harvest, Fog, flurries bless frigid opening day of 2021 sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago, Upriver Lakes, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. At 154 pounds with only the beginning stages of eggs, we can only imagine how big this female would have weighed next year when she would have been ready to spawn. Im wondering if it got stuck on something. This years harvest caps have been set at: If harvest caps are met early, a closure notice will be posted to the DNRsWinnebago System sturgeon spearing webpage. For up-to-date harvest information, visit our sturgeon spearing webpage. LAKE WINNEBAGO, Wis. (WBAY) - Sturgeon spearing season is officially here! Warm weather, however, made things a bit less solid by the seasons second weekend. Schumachers 78.5-inch beast had a huge girth and weighed 154.7 pounds. However, the most licenses sold was 13,190 in 2016, a year that only saw3,831 shanties on opening day. Spearers with tags for Lake Winnebago may continue to harvest sturgeon on Lake Winnebago until harvest caps are reached or until the Lake Winnebago System harvest caps are reached. This years Upriver season lasted 8 days compared to 4 in 2022. The largest fish harvested was an F2 female that weighed 123.6 lbs. Ice conditions were excellent opening day. This tag has no battery, a distinct 15-digit ID number and will last practically forever. Locations are listed in the sturgeon season regulation packet or on the DNR sturgeon spearing webpage. If they see any eggs that look like salt and pepper (unsuccessfully laid eggs), then they know they have an F6 female. MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season opener on Feb. 11, giving spearers a chance to harvest Wisconsin's largest and oldest fish species. Even though it was a slower day, it was still full of big fish. While this fish might not be the heaviest of the year, at 80.5 inches, this is a long fish. There are two spearfishing opportunities for lake sturgeon on the Winnebago System. This fish was speared by Michael Meetz and registered at the Pipe registration shack. She even lived long enough to see the first commercial space flight in 2004. Tomorrow, the Neenah registration station will be closed. We look forward to what well learn from the years of tracking individual fish in the Lake Winnebago System. This lake sturgeon was approximately 83 years old and had lived through a lot. The second day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season was considerably slower than yesterday. This fish was harvested by Joshua Genske at the Pipe registration shack. Today he harvested 80.8 lbs. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Fair to good water clarity is considered to be 12to 15 feet deep, though several years have reported up to 18 feet. Please visit the fishing license webpage for more information. The first modern sturgeon spearing season kicked off back in 1932, and the tradition has remained strong ever since. She lived in the Winnebago System from roughly 1939 to 2022, thriving for about 83 years. Military personnel home on leave can also buy a license after Oct. 31. If 100% is reached, then the season will close that afternoon. Meanwhile, in downtown Oshkosh, Croix, JJ, and Remi Holz helped their dad, Josh Holz, measure his 30.3 lbs., 52.9-inch sturgeon. Paul registered a 91.3-pound, 68.8-inch, F1 female, while his son, Eli, nabbed a bigger fish at 111.2 pounds, 74.7 inches, F1 female. Congratulations to all successful spearers. Paynes Point Hook and Spear told Action 2 News there is 13 to 16 inches of ice in the area right now but its starting to melt. We hope every spearer had a great season. According to the Wisconsin DNR, "The Winnebago system is home to one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America and hosts a unique winter spear fishery" (WI DNR). For those who are still enjoying the winter and spearing season, good luck this weekend. In Wisconsin, lake sturgeon inhabit the Mississippi, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior Drainage basins. According to the Wisconsin Department of . For up-to-date details and numbers throughout the season, visitdnr.wisconsin.gov.
