2008 Lake Sturgeon Spawning Season

It is that time of year again, when the ancient ones travel upstream to their spawning grounds. The first time an adult male lake sturgeon spawns is typically after they reach 42" in length or approximately 14 years of age, with 50% of the males mature at 47" and 19 years, and some not maturing until they are 56" and 30 years old. The female lake sturgeon do not start to spawn until they reach 50", 21 years, with 50% mature at 55", 27 years, and some not mature for the first time until they are 63" and 39 years old.

Our hotline number for hearing recorded daily updates is (920) 303-5444.

Wednesday, April 30th. - It appears that the 2008 spawning season has come to an end.

Monday, April 27th. - The weekend provided some great spawning activity at various viewing sites.

Tuesday, April 22. - Bamboo bend is thick with spawning fish. New London public viewing is good, too. Not so many yet in Shawano, possibly tomorrow they will start in Shawano.

Thursday, April 17. - Water temps in the Wolf have increased to 45 degrees, about eight degrees away from optimum sturgeon spawning temperature.  The water temperatures have been increasing 5 to 9 degrees each day this week. The sturgeon are in the river but as of yesterday, there was no pre-spawning porpoising activities to view. Once the temperature gets to the desired 52 - 54 degrees, the sturgeon like to languish in these warmer waters for 2 -3 days before spawning activity begins. Viewing is possible near Sturgeon Trail (New London) and at Bamboo Bend (Shiocton). If the warm weather continues and water temperatures also continue to rise, the sturgeon could begin spawning in the Wolf River in the New London and Shiocton areas by early to mid-week, April 21st to the 25th. People should be able to view sturgeon porpoising at these sites late this weekend or early next week until spawning begins.

Lake Sturgeon Spawning/Viewing Locations on the Wolf River

1. Wolf River Sturgeon Trail (near New London) - about 2 miles west of New London on County Highway X. Parking available on the south side of the river about 1/2 mile from the spawning site
2. Bamboo Bend at Shiocton - on County Highway 54. Parking available on the north side of County Hwy. 54.
3. Shawano Dam in Shawano. Parking available on the east side of the river at the end of Richmond Street.

Maps link to larger images.