LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Exciting times for many outdoor enthusiasts, as the 2018 sturgeon spearing season gets underway Saturday in the Lake Winnebago System.
Spearers, like Mark Rymer of Van Dyne, have spent the past couple days preparing for the season.
“We like to spend some time, getting the ice shanties ready, and making sure the heaters all work before we get out on the ice, and stuff like that.”
Kory Roloff of Oakfield is also among the roughly 13,000 license holders.
“This year, the ice is pretty decent. There’s a few cracks and shoves to be aware of, but fishing clubs are doing a great job setting up bridges, making maps.”
But the poor water clarity has spearers like Bob Leichtfuss of Van Dyne concerned.
“Northwest of the island, and he could see down six feet. But you go a little bit further and then you can’t see at all. I don’t think they’re going to get their quota this year.”
However, some folks welcome the poor clarity…like Wendt’s on the Lake Manager Ann Wendt-Cross.
“Everything I’ve heard, is just how dirty the water is, and I go ‘yeah!’ We normally would maybe have during the weekday, one bartender. Now we’re having two or three.”
Despite the water clarity being better in the upriver lakes, experts predict the season will go the full 16 days.
