FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WRN) — The Senior Sturgeon biologist for the DNR isn’t expecting as many people to get out on the ice for sturgeon spearing as the season starts Saturday. Ryan Koenigs says about 12,250 licenses were sold last Fall, but poor ice conditions and water clarity may affect participation this opening weekend.
“Most of the travel is going to be restricted to 4-wheelers and snowmobiles, and UTVs and some people may just not have means to that form of transportation as well,” Koenigs said Thursday. “So I think the ice conditions we have right now there may be some of those license holders who decide not to take part in opening weekend.”
Koenigs says water clarity will also affect sturgeon spearers’ decisions on whether or not to participate opening weekend.
“I talked to a bunch of spearers that have been out scouting. Seems 7 to 10 feet is the norm. Conditions may be improving slightly over what they were two weeks ago.”
On the Upriver Lakes where clarity isn’t as much of an issue the ice is also thicker.
