OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Lake Winnebago could see a third sturgeon spearing season in a row where the season goes the full 16 days.
DNR Sturgeon Biologist Ryan Koenigs says they were out checking sites on the lake this week.
“The water clarity is very poor. On average you’re probably only looking at 6-to-7 feet of visibility right now.”
That’s not good when you’re trying to spear a fish.
“Well below the threshold that we normally need to see around 12 feet that have a high harvest on Lake Winnebago and likely a shortened season because they’ve reached the caps.”
Koenigs thinks there’s a good chance that won’t happen this year either.
“The last two seasons on Lake Winnebago have both gone the full 16 days. And we’ve had 9 and 9 and a half feet of visibility.”
But, water clarity is better on the upriver lakes, which are shallower than Lake Winnebago.
“Reports I’m hearing from people out scouting is they can see bottom in most areas on the upriver lakes. But those lakes in general are a lot shallower, so you can get by and have a successful season with dirtier water.”
Sturgeon Spearing season starts Saturday.
