LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ) – Expectations vary ahead of Northeast Wisconsin’s 16-day sturgeon spearing season.
DNR Fisheries Biologist Ryan Koenigs predicts folks will notice a difference from last year to this year in the quality of fish in Lake Winnebago.
“With a very small gizzard shad hatch, their abundance has reduced compared to where it was last season as well, so I think we’re going to see some leaner fish out there.”
Koenigs notes harvest caps are similar to last year.
“430 juvenile females and 950 adult females (are both the exact same as last year). There’s a slight change to the males: this year’s system-wide cap is 1,200 males, last year’s was 1,175.”
As of Monday morning, Koenigs says they had issued 12,505 licenses for Lake Winnebago and 474 for the upriver waters.
Koenigs explains how the water clarity is looking.
“Probably average around 8-9 feet right now of visibility. With that clarity, we’re anticipating to have a below-average harvest season, likely will go 16 days.”
However, Koenigs says the upriver lakes are closer to the ideal 12 feet.
He notes there are not many changes from last season, saying the biggest year-to-year difference involves the validation process.
“After harvesting a fish, you need to validate the tag by removing that validation stub. You keep the top portion of your license with you and if that validation stub is removed, you’ve validated your tag.”
The season starts at 7 am Saturday.
Click here to learn more about the 2018 sturgeon spearing season.
