Spearers couldn’t ask for much better conditions this sunny Valentine’s Day for the opener of the sturgeon spearing season. A flyover counted 3,019 shanties across Lake Winnebago. With reports of fairly good ice conditions and water clarity throughout the lake, these spearers were pretty evenly distributed across the water.

A total of 479 lake sturgeon were harvested on Lake Winnebago, with 53 juvenile females, 239 adult females and 187 males. This puts us at about 36% of the adult female harvest cap. Most of the harvest was coming from the east side of the lake, with the Stockbridge registering the most fish with 148 registered.

A considerable number of fish were also harvested on the Upriver Lakes, with spearers harvesting 175 fish (24 juvenile females, 49 adult females and 102 males). While the 90% harvest cap for the Upriver Lakes hasn’t yet been reached, we are only 17 adult females away from that number. This means the Upriver Lakes season will likely close in the next few days as fish continue to be harvested. Upriver Lakes spearers, please make sure you are checking the daily updates for season closures as we near the harvest caps.

View the full details in today’s harvest report.

It was great to see so many families out on the ice and at the registration stations today. While it is a thrill for spearers harvesting fish, many families in the area also use this time of year to get together, reminisce about great stories and share their own traditions. This includes Jay Plonsky and Jeff Wagner, who have started to create their own stories and traditions over the last few years. This tradition includes Jay’s daughters, Scarlett and Devin, who were able to help pull the sturgeon out of the hole after their dad speared it.

There is also young Abigail Derksen. At age 13, she is proving she has what it takes. It was her second year spearing, and her second fish, a respectable 53.6 in, 34.0 lbs, M2 male. We hope we keep seeing her at registration stations for years to come. 

Another notable stat was that 17 fish over 100 pounds were harvested throughout the system. Today’s largest fish was a 148.9-pound, 75.4-inch F4 female speared Upriver by Christopher Inda. 

For those who couldn’t make it out today, there will likely be just as much excitement tomorrow around the lake. Pair that with the forecast calling for another nice, mild day, and it is a recipe for a great family adventure to see these incredible fish and the passionate people who target them. Congratulations to all successful spearers on a great opening day!