SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Observers from around Northeast Wisconsin enjoy visiting Sturgeon Park in Shawano. It’s a very popular spot for catching sturgeon spawning. Unfortunately…
Eddie Sheppard says, “The sidewalk down there where people can typically view the sturgeon run is closed because it’s underwater.”
Eddie Sheppard is Shawano’s city administrator. He tells me that these high river levels are not uncommon during this time of year, however this time it’s remained high…longer than usual.
“We do see it from time to time during major rain events it coming up this high but we usually see it’s relatively quickly. I think what we’re seeing is the result of the snow up north melting and this being prolonged melt than a normal quick shot,” explains Sheppard.
Sheppard says that public works, dam control and city staff work together to monitor and manage the water levels closely to make sure everybody can view sturgeon from a safe distance.
“We really just monitor it in relationship to the shoreline for instance you can see we have barricades out at a good 20 feet from where the water is. Our staff is monitoring it on a daily basis. If the river were to rise any farther we would need to back it off we will.”
Due to the chillier temperatures experienced during the end of the weekend, sturgeon have not shown up in large numbers. But Sheppard remains optimistic.
“I think so obviously the weather has thrown things a little bit in a loop. We are seeing sturgeon come out here already. Temperatures in the water are not typical of what we would see a major run, so we are expecting and hoping for additional fish coming up here as the temperature in the water gets a little bit warmer.”
The good news is, the park is still open for longer distance viewing.
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