LAKE WINNEBAGO (WTAQ-WLUK) – The start of the 2019 sturgeon spearing opener is Saturday morning.
Over the course of the season, an estimated 13,000 license holders are expected to take to the frozen waters of the Lake Winnebago System, hoping to bag that prehistoric fish.
On a thoroughfare carved onto the surface of Lake Winnebago, trucks pulling shanties make their way across the ice.
“We got a shack over here. We pulled it up in the ice storm yesterday, that was a venture. But we’re all ready to go today. It’s going to be fun,” said Jim Langenecker, West Bend.
Langenecker and thousands of others are searching for that special spot on the 131,000-acre lake, where they can spear a sturgeon through a 48-square foot hole, cut in the ice.
“It’s unique. There’s people that come from all over the place. And it’s a city out here. It’s an absolute city,” said Langenecker.
One by one, that city grew Friday morning. On a typical opening weekend, a Lake Winnebago shanty city can number 4,000 or more.
“From Wednesday, people start bringing out their shanties, checking for hot spots they call them. They will all go see how far down they can see. Checking the clarity of the water,” said Stacy Frakes, Paynes Point Hook, and Spear Fishing Club.
A recent Department of Natural Resources survey revealed average water clarity on Lake Winnebago of 9.5 feet.
“Marginal. Mixed reports. A little bit better than last year, So that’s better than nothing,” said Langenecker.
“I know they put my shanty out yesterday, and I’m in 11 feet of water, and we can see down to about seven feet,” said Frakes.
At Paynes Point Hook & Spear Fishing Club south of Neenah, the 40th annual fisheree features food, raffles, and live music.
“Excitement. Total excitement” said Frakes.
“We’re all set. Come on out, and enjoy the weekend. It’s going to be cold, dress warm, but the tent is heated,” she said.
Sturgeon spearing hours are open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The season is scheduled to run 16 days, or until the safe-harvest cap is reached.
Also ahead of the weekend was the “Running of the Sturgeon Parade,” and a sculpting competition.
