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. The spears used are also hand-made by local vendors and come in all shapes and sizes. Locations are listed in the sturgeon season regulation packet. Gishkowskys fish was a lake sturgeona prehistoric, bottom-dwelling species that first appeared on earth around the time the dinosaurs went extinct. In 2020, the biggest fish snagged from the Upriver Lakes was140pounds and 75 inches, speared byVincent Catania of North Fond du Lac, but 2021 beat that catch by over 10 pounds with Steven Lenz's 154.5-pound,78.2-inch sturgeon from Lake Poygan. Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes remain slow. We are halfway through the season. They also have registered the most fish over 100 pounds. This was the first year since 2020 that registration stations were back to supper clubs and other businesses, after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to drive-thru stations. Only through the meticulous management of the lake sturgeon population in the Winnebago System can sturgeon such as this one thrive. There is an average of 13.0 feet of water clarity around Lake Winnebago with generally clearer water on the eastern shores as well as farther from shores along the west side of the lake. This reproductive stage is called F6. Both fish were among 19 sturgeon weighing over 100 pounds speared on Saturday, and 33. With the warm temperatures, today was again a slow day for spearing on the Winnebago system. Moving forward, the Neenah registration station will remain closed for the rest of the season. We wish the best of luck to everyone! This funding is the lifeblood of our management program. Licenses are issued through a drawing where priority is granted to applicants with the most preference points. Generally, the spears are constructed with long handles, 6-8' in length, and have detachable spearheads. 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. 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. If you plan on registering your fish there, please head to the next closest registration station. Do not forget to check with your local fishing club for up-to-date ice conditions. 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. Lake sturgeon can live for 100 years or more. Another one came from Charles Jet, who seems to know what he's doing when it comes to spearing. The latest water clarity report is available for review:Lake Winnebago Water Clarity Report, 2023. Today, 29 fish were harvested on Lake Winnebago with 3 juvenile females, 15 adult females and 11 males. This year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) predicts that harvest caps will be met prior to the 16-day season limit. (WFRV) - Day eight of sturgeon spearing season proved to be a bit more fruitful for spearers out on Lake Winnebago. Part of the scope statement included sending one final survey in 2021 to determine the growing interest in technology during the spearing season. Eight fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (0 juvenile females, 4 adult females, 4 males) and three from the Upriver lakes (0 juvenile females, 1 adult female, 2 males). It was nice to see families and friends taking advantage of the last weekend of this spearing season. The tag does not need to be attached to the sturgeon unless the license holder leaves the fish. If they see any eggs that look like salt and pepper (unsuccessfully laid eggs), then they know they have an F6 female. The season will resume Upriver tomorrow. Remember to be safe and that no ice is 100% safe. Tomorrow, the Quinney registration station on Lake Winnebago and the Poygan registration station on the Upriver Lakes will be closed. Both came from the Pipe registration shack, including the fish speared by Alex Wilkens at 101.6 lbs. Overharvesting was a main problem that affected the Lake Winnebago system sturgeon population in the past, which is why each spearing season since 1999 has hadpre-set harvest caps based on estimated population on top of the 16-day season limit. 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. The first modern sturgeon fishery took place in 1932. So I got on the phone with Sean Wendts. I took the fish to a local taxidermist, he said. Even though it was a slower day, it was still full of big fish. For comparison, 1,519 fish were harvested in 2022 when ice conditions were ideal. A darkened shack or enclosure is required for better visibility. 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. OSHKOSH, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds those interested in sturgeon spearing that they have until Oct. 31, 2022, to purchase a license for the 2023 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season. The final day of spearing season wrapped up on Sunday, Feb. 23 with a total of 811 sturgeon harvested from the Lake Winnebago system and the upriver lakes. Sixty-one fish were harvested between Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes. 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. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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.. The 2023seasonruns a maximum of 16 days or until the pre-determined harvest caps are met. When spawning, females can hold 50,000-700,000 eggs. Keep close attention to local spearing/fishing club reports. He'll also have a mount of the fish made to commemorate the catch. (WFRV) - The sun wasn't the only thing shining on the second to last day of the sturgeon spearing season. Mild weather shook up ice conditions Saturday but didn't hinder the spearing spirit, with 522 total sturgeon speared across the Lake Winnebago system, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 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. During her first few years, she grew and thrived while World War II was waging in Europe. While she stayed off the DNRs radar during this time, in 1977, Sturgeon for Tomorrows founders were creating an organization to protect her and other Winnebago sturgeon. Today, spearers reached between 90-99% of the harvest cap on the Upriver Lakes. Approximately 12,200 sturgeon spearing licenses were sold for the 2021 season. Spearers can be in a shanty after hours, but they cannot be in one with a spear after hours. Meanwhile, in downtown Oshkosh, Croix, JJ, and Remi Holz helped their dad, Josh Holz, measure his 30.3 lbs., 52.9-inch sturgeon. Published Feb 16, 2023 3:37 PM EST. This fish was harvested by Joshua Genske at the Pipe registration shack. In 2013, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was asked about using cameras in the sturgeon hole during the sturgeon spearing season. 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. The DNRs involvement in lake sturgeon rehabilitation programs and partnerships with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the U.S. Both fish were among 21 sturgeon weighing more than 100 pounds speared on Saturday, and 26 sturgeon speared throughout the weekend. Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and BaitHarvest Regulations2020-2021 Effective April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 Includes regulations on: Rough Fish Spearing Dipnetting Rough Fish Bowfishing and Underwater Spear Fishing Harvesting Turtles, Frogs, Crayfish and Minnows Catfish Bow and Hand Fishing Its a family atmosphere. Korey Krupp speared the largest sturgeon from Lake Winnebago with a 135.5-pound, 76.1-inch female. The heat index ranged from 120-128F during the summer, some of Wisconsins highest temperatures recorded. 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. That fish is incredible! The Gizzard Shad population during the Winnebago trawl assessment saw a small uptick in densities but nothing compared to previous boom years. Get tips for staying safe on the ice from the DNRs ice safety webpage. Military personnel home on leave can also buy a license after Oct. 31. More than 12,000 spearing licenses were purchased in 2020 . The fishing clubs use caution. shy of the system record (record is 212 . Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. These efforts have helped strengthen and grow sturgeon populations nationwide, including in Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. It allows the DNR to assess the population, implement habitat projects, conduct research projects and implement the best management for this world-renowned resource, Koenigs said. The heaviest sturgeon speared on record in the Lake Winnebago system weighed 212.2 pounds, caught by Ronald Grishaber in 2010. FV or MV stages indicate a fish that is not yet sexually mature. The 2021 sturgeon spearing season is scheduled to open Feb. 13 and run a maximum of 16 days or until predetermined harvest caps are met. The biggest fish harvested was an F4 female weighing 136.5 lbs. Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition and culture. After spearing his fish, he registered it at the Indian Point registration station. Ive been going all my life, and Ive got eight brothers and sisters who spear. The staff managed to recapture one sturgeon from 2004 in 2012, and though the fish aren't weighed in the spring, its pre-spawn weight was estimated to grow to240 pounds. I tried to lift it up, and I cant hardly lift it. There is no residency requirement for participating in the sturgeon spearing season, but license holders are predominantly Wisconsin residents residing within 60 miles of the Winnebago system.
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