Floodwater stands in front of Wolf River Asphalt in Shiocton April 15, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ) — The sturgeon spawning season is looking a little different this year due to significant flooding across the state of Wisconsin.
On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service reported that the water of the Wolf River in Shiocton was about 14.73 feet. That beats the previous record crest of 14.1 feet on April 1, 1992.
Those high waters have caused several sturgeon from Shiocton’s Wolf River to move across the street near Bamboo Bend, and into nearby parking lots to spawn.
The unprecedented circumstances have lead to several community members voicing concern for the sturgeon’s wellbeing, but Wisconsin DNR sturgeon biologist Margaret Stadig says they’re monitoring the situation.
“They should be fine. Once the water does recede, anyone that is actually stuck once there is no longer a connection to the Wolf River; my staff will be out there to make sure they get back to the Wolf River safely,” she said.
Stadig says the sturgeon likely swam upstream to new areas by themselves and will likely return on their own to the main body of the Wolf River.
While the circumstances surrounding this sturgeon spawning season may be extraordinary, Stadig says the spawning outcome will likely be similar to previous years.
“What will happen is that the waters will recede and maybe some of the eggs will be out of the water, but that happens every year,” said Stadig. “The sturgeon will spawn along the rocks [near the shore], and the water will go down. It’s just how Mother Nature has done it for years.”
Every year the DNR encourages Wisconsinites to come see the prehistoric fish splashing around during the spawning season. However, the popular sturgeon spawning site at Bamboo Bend near the Wolf River in Shiocton is closed for the season and will not be available for viewing of sturgeon spawning out of safety concerns.
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