Sturgeon speared on Lake Winnebago near Pipe, February 14, 2023 . PC: Fox 11 Online
WINNEBAGO CO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With sturgeon spearing set to begin in a week, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding spearers of this year’s harvest caps.
On Lake Winnebago, the caps are 280 juvenile females, 725 adult females and 994 males. On upriver lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts, the caps are 70 juvenile females, 80 adult females and 248 males. For the overall Winnebago system, the caps are 350 juvenile females, 805 adult females and 1,242 males.
When any of the harvest caps are met, spearing ends on that lake or group of lakes. When 90% of the harvest cap is met, spearing continues for one more day.
Updates on progress toward the harvest caps will be posted on the DNR’s website, the agency’s Facebook page and the daily emails from the DNR.
The season begins Feb. 10 and runs through Feb. 25 unless harvest caps are met sooner.
The season will not be canceled regardless of ice conditions. The DNR reminds spearers that no ice is ever 100% safe, and this year’s unusually warm weather could make ice very unstable.
Because of rapidly changing weather and ice conditions, the DNR has not been able to conduct water clarity assessments.
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