Sturgeon spearing season kicks off on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago

LAKE WINNEBAGO, Wis. – Anglers in Wisconsin are tenting out on the ice this weekend, spear in hand, with the hopes of snagging a freshwater big. 

Sturgeon spearing season has begun, however the Wisconsin Division of Pure Sources says gentle temperatures and questionable ice situations and cracks means fewer shacks had been open Sunday morning on Lake Winnebago.

“Aerial counts got here in. We’re simply over 3,000 shacks on Lake Winnebago, which is rather a lot fewer than earlier years. Almost certainly because of ice situations, and the cracks which can be happening,” stated Margaret Stadig, a DNR sturgeon biologist.

Fishing golf equipment monitor and preserve the landings across the 132,000-acre lake. Many advocate driving ATVs or UTVs on the ice. 

Regardless of a dip in participation, many spearers discovered success.  

“At 9 a.m. there have been 4 of us within the shack, and it got here in, took out my grandfather’s spear and took him,” stated Ron Carpenter, of Omro. “It is fairly a rush. If you happen to do not perceive sturgeon spearing, you want to expertise it as soon as, and also you’re hooked.”

“Joe was getting stuff all connected, and I used to be wanting down within the gap, and I simply stated to him, ‘Right here comes one,’ and it seemed greater within the gap, that is for positive,” stated  Daybreak Zahringer, of Sherwood.

“Oh, it was absolute chaos. Absolute chaos. Chairs flying out the door, simply appropriately,” stated Kelly Zywicki, of Stevens Level. “I will rejoice.”

Sturgeon spearing season will run for the subsequent two weeks, or till harvest caps are reached.