Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Season - Update 2012

The 2012 Winnebago System (Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes) lake sturgeon spearing season is just around the corner. The season opens on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Ron Bruch, fisheries biologist in Oshkosh and coordinator of the Winnebago System sturgeon management program, provides the following updates on the upcoming season.

February 6…….The cold weather seems to be back and so are some renewed hopes that ice conditions may improve sufficiently to allow greater access for sturgeon spearers to more of the Winnebago Lakes this coming Saturday, opening day of the 2012 season. The lakes, as always, though, are still dangerous in many areas for ice travel. I will repeat my ice travel mantra: Don't rely on anyone else's ice reports - know for yourself how good the ice is where you plan to travel. Reports I have been getting in from around the lakes indicate most spearers plan to use four-wheelers to get out there this weekend. I also hear that the water seems to be clearing a bit along the east shore with visibilities now up to 11.5 feet there in some areas. Still a little cloudier along the west shore (8.5') and still clear in the Upriver Lakes.

There have been rumors circulating around about whether the season will go on because of the less than optimal ice conditions. Below is an answer I recently sent to a person asking about the status of the season:

"In response to your question about whether the DNR would close the upcoming sturgeon spearing season due to poor ice conditions - we (DNR), working with the public, Natural Resources Board, and the legislature set the seasons for fishing and hunting . The anglers, spearers, and hunters who participate in these seasons are responsible for their own actions in the pursuit of their sport. Sportsmen and women make their own decisions, and may elect not to go out on the lakes to fish during thunderstorms, to hunt during ice storms, nor to spear or ice-fish on marginal or dangerous ice."

The bottom line is - the season is set and goes on. Be safe - make sure you use good judgment when going out there.

Lake Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Regulations

The 2012 Lake Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Regulations [PDF 885KB] pamphlet is now available.

Sturgeon Shanty Rentals

If you or someone you know rents shanties for the spearing season on Lake Winnebago and/or the Upriver Lakes, please send the contact information to Ron Bruch. Shanty rental information is very popular (and helpful) to first-time sturgeon spearers.

A large sturgeon is carefully hoisted on the scale - 173 lbs! . Photo by Michelle Marron

Sturgeon License Sales for 2012 Season

Our post October 31 license sales for the upcoming 2012 spearing season on Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes were 12,182 for Lake Winnebago and 498 for the Upriver Lakes. We will likely sell a few 14 year old licenses yet before the season begins, and maybe 1 or 2 military on leave licenses, but even without these the total of 12680 is a 2.1% increase over 2011 license sales and a 48.6% increase sine 2007. For the 2012 Upriver Lakes season 4597 people applied for a tag in the lottery (up from 4144 in 2011) and we authorized the purchase of 500 licenses selling a record 498.

Harvest Caps for the 2012 Sturgeon Spearing Season

Surveys over the last 5 years indicate a consistent increase in the adult lake sturgeon stock which justified a modest increase in the juvenile and adult female harvest caps. At the same time, exploitation rates have consistently been held at or below the target limit of 5%. In light of the current population status the following harvest caps (see tables below) have been set for the 2012 spearing season:

Sturgeon Spearing Culture

The ice-fishing season for lake sturgeon is more about getting together and fishing together than harvesting a lunker.

• "A Small Window for a Big Opportunity" - Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, February 2011

• Lake Winnebago's sturgeon spearing seasons are as much about family, fun, and rituals as harvesting a huge fish.

2012 Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing Season

2012 Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Season

For more information, please contact:
Karl Scheidegger
(608) 267-9426