SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The run is underway in Shiocton, where the sturgeon are spawning on the Wolf River at places like Bamboo Bend.
But because of COVID-19 concerns, public viewing is limited.
In his decades of watching sturgeon, Kevin Conradt tells FOX 11 this year is unlike any other.
“I mean, they’re just from one end of the rocks, all the way to the other side. So, there is a pile of fish here.”
Conradt is president of the conservation group Shawdows On The Wolf, and says in addition to the fish, the coronavirus pandemic is also making this year unlike any other.
“We’re kind of concerned about the virus and everything going on, so we’re doing our part to try to keep it at a minimum.”
Signs are up, and there are barricades too, keeping people away. Randal Spear was checking out the activity from a distance.
“It’s amazing. You can see so many.”
The long-time spear fishermen tells FOX 11 it’s nice to see the prehistoric sturgeon, even though this year’s viewing is limited.
“It’s sad, because I know there’s a lot of people that would be up here looking at them, but you got to respect the social distancing.”
And for those who want to watch the sturgeon run on the internet, the Wolf River Cam offers live coverage, on three color cameras, streaming 24-7.
The spawning run is expected to run for another week or so.
