PIPE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As the 2020 sturgeon spearing season rolls on, many say the season harvest is slow, but one registration station is seeing some activity.
That’s on Lake Winnebago’s southeastern shore at Calumet Harbor, in the the Fond du Lac County community of Pipe.
Jim and Linda’s Lakeview Supper Club is typically a busy place during sturgeon spearing season. And this year, the tiny Department of Natural Resources registration building in the back parking lot is too. Mandi Rahmer brought her fish here. She speared this 63.5 pound, 65 inch sturgeon near Calumetville.
“We moved yesterday, and I knew it was going to be a good day today, and we got it done. It’s an adrenaline rush. You’re still excited an hour later. It’s still something that you can’t believe you did.”
Rahmer’s sturgeon was the fourth one registered Monday morning.
“It’s a slower year. We’ve actually been kind of busy here, at this station, Jim and Linda’s. We’ve been one of the busiest stations on the lake,” said Jason Kohls, DNR Fisheries Technician.
Through the first 10 days of the 2020 season, more than a third of all fish registered on Lake Winnebago came through Jim and Linda’s.
Kohls tells FOX 11 as of Monday morning, one thing was missing.
“We’re the only station on the lake so far, that hasn’t got a 100-pounder. But, we’re going for quantity, not quality this year. We’re tops on the lake, so it’s a lot of fun.”
“Seven years ago, I speared a 92.5-pounder. I haven’t speared one since then. So this was past due,” said Rahmer.
The season is expected to continue through Sunday.
There are 10 registration stations throughout the Lake Winnebago System.
But because of the slower season, the DNR reports four of those stations will be closed for the rest of the 2020 campaign.
