wisconsin sturgeon spearing
Sturgeon with this appearance are often females that have spawned the previous spring. Any fish harvested from Lake Winnebago must be registered at one of the registration stations on Lake Winnebago. Sunday's harvest totaled 261 sturgeon, with 211 fish from Lake Winnebago and 50 from the Upriver Lakes. Ninety-three fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (11 juvenile females, 49 adult females, and 33 males). Female stages are V, 1, 2, 4 or 6, while male stages include V, 1 or 2. F4 female fish is a female that is full of eggs and would have spawned this year (spring 2023). The 2021 sturgeon spearing season is scheduled to open Feb. 13 and run a maximum of 16 days or until predetermined harvest caps are met. There are still 2 adult females left until the 90% trigger is activated or 10 more adult females until the 100% cap is reached on the Upriver lakes. Like many of us, lake sturgeon are looking for warmer spring weather. If you are returning to the ice tomorrow, we wish you the best of luck and, as always, please be safe. The biggest fish harvested was an F4 female weighing 136.5 lbs. That fish is incredible! The effort pays off for individual spearers as well: existing sturgeon now have a better opportunity to grow older and older and bigger and bigger. If records were based on length rather than weight, Thern's fish would have beaten over half of the top 11 "Heavy Hitters" of the season. Only 50 lake sturgeon were harvested Upriver (11 juvenile females, 10 adult females and 29 males). As we approach the weekend, we wish all the spearers luck. Gishkowsky used a seven-tine detachable spearhead affixed to an 8-foot pole to spear the monster fish before Wendts gaffed it and hauled it out of the ice. Many spearers took to the ice to enjoy the last two days of the season. The DNR biologists report that many lake sturgeon stomachs are full of Gizzard Shad. The Pipe registration station continues to see the highest harvest of the season, with a daily total of 59 fish. Even though it was a slower day, it was still full of big fish. Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition and culture. The Lake Michigan basin contains the Lake Winnebago system where Gishkowsky speared his monster sturgeon earlier this week. Most of the fish on the top 11 "Heavy Hitters Club" chart, including the current record, were speared between 2010 and 2013, coinciding with strong hatches of the gizzard shad. Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ryan Koenigs, DNR Winnebago sturgeon biologist. The lake, at its deepest, is only 21 feet, with an average depth of about 15 feet. In 1953, sturgeon enthusiasts were quick to find previous catches that had already broken Schroeder'srecord, citing Arthur Haferman and Michael Goyke's 187.5-pound catch on a set-line in Oshkosh from 1913 and Glen Marsh's 211-pound sturgeon from 1911 in Northwest Wisconsin, caught by a pike pole spear. Licenses are issued through a drawing where priority is granted to applicants with the most preference points. WINNECONNE Wis. (WBAY) - Thousands safely headed out on the ice looking for the perfect spot to catch a sturgeon for opening weekend of the 2022 sturgeon spearing season, enjoying the sport rich . Today, only 19 fish were harvested between Lake Winnebago and the Upriver lakes. The spears used are also hand-made by local vendors and come in all shapes and sizes. A darkened shack or enclosure is required for better visibility. RELATED:Sturgeon spearing 2021 second weekend brings in 256 catches; Upriver Lakes season closes with record harvest, RELATED:Fog, flurries bless frigid opening day of 2021 sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago, Upriver Lakes. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (WFRV) - The sun wasn't the only thing shining on the second to last day of the sturgeon spearing season. Regulations related to minnow use and transportation (VHS rules) on the Winnebago system apply. People took a lot more precautions from going out, not going out, Mark Swanson said. It will be interesting to see what the warmer weather this winter does for the Gizzard Shad populations in Lake Winnebago and if it influences the number of large, heavy lake sturgeon we see next spearing season. Keep close attention to local spearing/fishing club reports. It has not made it the easiest season for spearers to navigate. To help with the registration process, the DNR asks that all harvested sturgeon be placed on the tailgate or in an easily accessible location. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This fish was speared by Kenneth Rach. Joe Sheilds speared a 125.6 lbs., 73.4 inches, F4 female. At 30 years old, she was most likely enjoying the warmth and searching for some tasty chironomids below the waters surface in 1969, the same time Neil Armstrong was looking down on earth, becoming the first man to walk on the moon. View the full details in today's full harvest report. In 2004, the DNR partnered with multiple conservation groups to create a network of acoustic telemetry receivers to track the movements of sturgeon within the rivers, lakes and tributaries of the Winnebago System. In 1979, the same year ESPN launched its cable network, the first successful efforts to propagate lake sturgeon artificially occurred. This array expanded from 22 receivers in just the Wolf River in 2004 to more than 60 as of 2022 throughout the entire Winnebago system, including Lake Winnebago and the upper and parts of the lower Fox River. The Upriver Season will continue to be open tomorrow. Theres different ice conditions and thats why theres seven or eight different fishing clubs across the lake.. LAKE WINNEBAGO, Wis. (WBAY) - Sturgeon spearing season is officially here! Spearers can be in a shanty after hours, but they cannot be in one with a spear after hours. Some locations will continue to offer the drive-thru registration option. According to the Department . It is restricted to 500 license holders per season due to the higher success rate of licensed spearers (62% vs. 9% on Lake Winnebago). The opening day aerial shanty count, conducted by the DNR, found around 3,100 shacks, nearly half the number of opening day shanties from 2022. Every February, people migrate to the Winnebago System to take part in the annual lake sturgeon spear fishery, said Ryan Koenigs, DNR Winnebago sturgeon biologist. I think it supersedes deer hunting, Averkamp said. Those caps are 1,200 male sturgeon, 875 adult females, and 400 juvenile females. Both fish were among 21 sturgeon weighing more than 100 pounds speared on Saturday, and 26 sturgeon speared throughout the weekend. They also have registered the most fish over 100 pounds. and measured 72.0 inches long from the Wendts registration shack. Upriver Lakes harvest numbers representing 90-99% of the harvest cap, were set at 70 juvenile females, 79 adult females and 246 males. The Pipe registration station continues to have the highest daily harvest, with 11 fish and 354 fish for the season. OSHKOSH, Wis. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would like to remind interested spearers that they have until Oct. 31, 2020 to purchase a license for the 2021 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season. Liv Halbach, his daughter studying fisheries at Stevens Point, was working the station as a volunteer with the DNR. Eight fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (0 juvenile females, 4 adult females, 4 males) and three from the Upriver lakes (0 juvenile females, 1 adult female, 2 males). Their logo will be applied to the shanty they have sponsored. The Pipe registration shacks continue to have the highest harvest rates with a season total of 267 fish registered. For the season, the Upriver Lakes harvested 33 juvenile females, 74 adult females, and 178 males, for a total of 285 fish. She showed how she could persevere through challenges as a dinosaur fish when she endured a deadly heat wave in 1995. The spearing season for this prehistoric fish will open on Feb. 13, 2021 for Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes of Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan, running for a maximum of 16 days or until any of the pre-determined harvest caps are reached. Pipe continues to put up big registration numbers, with more fish registered today (18 fish) than the other shacks combined. This is half of what was counted in 2022. What would possess a person to spend days, years or even decades waiting for a chance to propel a spear into a beast of a fish? Be safe if you are headed back out onto the ice. This small, oily forage fish has a drastic boom and bust population cycle in Lake Winnebago. for a successful spearing experience. FV or MV stages indicate a fish that is not yet sexually mature. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Most decoys are carved into the shape of a fish, but spearers are also superstitious by nature and have been known to deploy just about anything as a decoy, including copper jello molds, CDs, and white coffee cups. Sturgeon in the Upriver Lakes average even smaller, at 36.5 pounds and 53.6 inches. Pete Halbach was another successful spearer Upriver today. Then I turned around to adjust my stove, and when I turned back and this giant fish is in my hole. You could see a line of trailers along Merritt Avenue in Oshkosh that people used to get their four-wheelers out onto the ice. Samuel O'Connell hauled in a 162.6-pound, 76.1-inch female on Lake Poygan not only the biggest fish of the season so far, but the biggest from the Upriver Lakes since 2012. If you are headed out tomorrow good luck and, as always, be safe. All it would take is a multi-yearabundance of gizzard shad fish, the sturgeon's fattiest food source, to "shake up" the record books,Ryan Koenigs wrote in the 2019 season summary from the DNR. 2023 www.fdlreporter.com. In 2020, the biggest fish snagged from the Upriver Lakes was 140 pounds and 75 inches, speared by Vincent Catania of North Fond du Lac, but 2021 beat that catch by over 10 pounds with Steven Lenz's. So I got on the phone with Sean Wendts. In the Upriver Lakes, the largest harvest was in 2000, and saw2,169 sturgeon speared. Access points near Indian Point made it difficult to access the lake. For females, stages F1 and F2 indicate a fish that was not ready to spawn this year or even next. During the 2022 season, 12,694 people purchased spearing licenses and spearers harvested 1,519 sturgeon from the entire Winnebago System. Click here to view the full Day 8 Harvest Report. The Schumacher family has a long history on the lake, and was profiled in the Emmy-award-winning Frozen Chosen, a sturgeon-spearing documentary currently available on Netflix. Locals report some decent Gizzard Shad values in this southeastern section of Lake Winnebago which is likely drawing spearers to this area. Warmer temperatures this winter prevented biologists from safely conducting water clarity assessments until this week. Spearers who could get out onto the ice safely experienced a warm, sunny day and good water clarity. There are enough resources for the fish to grow to over 100 lbs. Both came from the Pipe registration shack, including the fish speared by Alex Wilkens at 101.6 lbs. Overharvesting was a main problem that affected the Lake Winnebago system sturgeon population in the past, which is why each spearing season since 1999 has hadpre-set harvest caps based on estimated population on top of the 16-day season limit. There is no residency requirement for participating in the sturgeon spearing season, but license holders are predominantly Wisconsin residents residing within 60 miles of the Winnebago system. Yes, the person with a valid license is the only person who can spear a fish. And as always, if you head back onto the ice tomorrow, remember to be safe. Ice conditions are worsening in the Winnebago System. Red worm abundance was up on the Upriver Lakes this year, but the harvest was more affected by ice conditions than anything else. All license holders must be a minimum of 12 years old. Many who took to the ice Saturday found success, with 522 sturgeon harvested. There is a big difference, Don Herman of Sunk? Recorded low chironomid densities (lake fly larvae/red worms) this year may also impact sturgeon distribution around Lake Winnebago. We cant wait to see everyone out on the ice next year. Registration Stations Registration stations have returned to pre-pandemic locations, and some will have drive-thru options. This is why many of the largest fish registered are indicated as F4s. It's sturgeon spearfishing season in Wisconsin, and the shanties are inhabited by those hoping to spear a beast of a sturgeon. Keyshia Wilz speared the largest sturgeon from the Upriver Lakes with a 138.2-pound, 76.1-inch female. Guelig says the sturgeon was a mature adult female that had an estimated 50 pounds of highly-prized roe, which Guelig will make into caviar. Prosecutors have charged Ryan Koenigs, a top sturgeon expert at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with obstructing an investigation after he alleged that his workers were. Youth who turn 12 years of age between Nov. 1 and the last day of the spearing season can purchase a spearing license after the deadline. We wish you good luck and clear water. With better water clarity this year, we should see a good harvest, though the warm weather could deteriorate ice conditions which may reduce spearing success. and measuring 80.5 inches long. With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that will run for a maximum of 16 days (Feb. 26) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met. We are halfway through the season. Just $1 per month , James Gishkowsky harvested the 6.6-foot behemoth during Wisconsin's annual sturgeon spearing season, By The validated tag must stay with the sturgeon until presented at a DNR-operated registration station. Be safe! There were also 21 fish harvested over 100 lbs., with 16 from Lake Winnebago and 5 from the Upriver Lakes. Click here to view the full Day 13 Harvest Report. This year's season is set to begin Saturday. Wherever theres a crowd, theres someone trying to figure out an angle on how to make a buck. If you planned to register your fish there, please head to the next closest registration station. This was the last day to spear on the Upriver Lakes. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Happy opening day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season! Spearers in the Upriver Lakes harvest 320 sturgeon. By the time itwas speared byJonathan Eiden in 2019, its weight had reached only 171 pounds, though this still-impressive catch demonstrated the potential for the lake system's fish. Sturgeon spearing season runs for 16 days or until any of the pre-determined harvest caps are met. According to the Wisconsin Department of . For those headed back onto the ice tomorrow, be sure to put safety first. A person who spears a sturgeon must accompany the fish to a DNR-operated sturgeon registration station by 2 p.m. on the day it was speared. It is the proportion of Lake Sturgeon harvested that have these tags from the spring to the sturgeon harvested that do not have tags that help the DNR understand the general population size of Lake Sturgeon in the system. Despite the slow day, a record-setting fish was caught! Wisconsin Official Traded Sturgeon Research Eggs for Caviar, Prosecutors Say Ryan Koenigs, a biologist who oversees the state's sturgeon spearing season in Lake Winnebago, is accused of. Locations can be found in the sturgeon spearing regulation packet or on the DNR's sturgeon spearing webpage. Past warnings led to expansive investigation, prosecution of sturgeon caviar ring. All rights reserved. There are 2 more shanties in need of sponsoring. This years Upriver season lasted 8 days compared to 4 in 2022. Season Photos Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition. Further, the system is one of only two locations where lake sturgeon can be harvested with a spear (Black Lake, Michigan is the other). Sturgeon spearing on Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago has a long and rich tradition, according to the DNR's website. More information on harvest trends and management for the Lake Winnebago sturgeon fishery can be found on the DNRs fisheries webpage. The species is characterized by its heavy, torpedo-shaped body and thick armor arranged in five rows along its flanks and back. 2004 also nearly heldthe record for largest harvest within the caps, at 1,854 sturgeon, but 2015 beat it out with 1,870. For many, the season is defined by the time spent with loved ones, not the harvesting of a fish. With our big trucks we like to have at least 12 or more, Herman said. The spearing season that Wisconsinites know today began back in the early 1930s on Lake Winnebago with the spearing eventually being extended to the Upriver Lakes in the 1950s. The Gizzard Shad population during the Winnebago trawl assessment saw a small uptick in densities but nothing compared to previous boom years. The two largest fish speared on the system in 2020 were just 70 lbs. The other fishery takes place on the Upriver Lakes (Butte des Morts, Winneconne, and Poygan). Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke. However, the most licenses sold was 13,190 in 2016, a year that only saw3,831 shanties on opening day. Catching sturgeon was eventually stopped in Wisconsin due to overfishing in the early 1900s. The annual sturgeon spearing season kicks off at 7 a.m. on Saturday and runs for 16 days or until set harvest caps are reached. In 2020, the biggest fish snagged from the Upriver Lakes was140pounds and 75 inches, speared byVincent Catania of North Fond du Lac, but 2021 beat that catch by over 10 pounds with Steven Lenz's 154.5-pound,78.2-inch sturgeon from Lake Poygan. We will continue to post updates on what stations are open or closed. There is an average of 13.0 feet of water clarity around Lake Winnebago with generally clearer water on the eastern shores as well as farther from shores along the west side of the lake. Still, there are guide services available that range from cutting a hole to providing a fully furnished shack. There was one 100-pound fish harvested today. Winnebago System sturgeon spearing webpage, Office of Communications connects journalists with DNR experts. Only 7 fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago today, with 1 juvenile female, 3 adult females and 3 males. There were 169 lake sturgeon harvested Upriver (20 juvenile females, 46 adult females and 103 males) and 353 harvested on Lake Winnebago (35 juvenile females, 171 adult females and 147 males). An unlicensed person or person, who has already filled their tag, cannot be inside a shanty alone with a spear. Today, 73 sturgeon were harvested on Lake Winnebago (13 juvenile females, 26 adult females, 34 males). This season was one for the books, with a variety of weather patterns packed into a short 16 days: warm weather, rain and a winter storm. Even with all the weird weather, it has been a successful season so far. While theres no residency requirement for spearfishing for Winnebago lake sturgeon, WDNR says that most of the participating anglers live within 60 miles of the lake. Andy Schumacher of Oshkosh, Sandys son (right), was staring into the depths in another shack when he got a cell phone call to help his mother with a big fish. In total, 115 juvenile females have been harvested, 481 adult females, and 442 males on Lake Winnebago. Updated: Feb 20, 2022 / 12:48 PM CST. Congrats to all successful spearers. While only 5 fish harvested today were over 100 pounds, Samuel OConnell speared a gigantic 162.6 lbs., 76.1 inches, F4 female on Lake Poygan. Most fish are consumed by the spearer, with smoking and frying being the two most common preparation techniques. The tag does not need to be attached to the sturgeon unless the license holder leaves the fish. Tomorrow, the Quinney registration station on Lake Winnebago and the Poygan registration station on the Upriver Lakes will be closed. Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes remain slow. Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and BaitHarvest Regulations2020-2021 Effective April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 Includes regulations on: Rough Fish Spearing Dipnetting Rough Fish Bowfishing and Underwater Spear Fishing Harvesting Turtles, Frogs, Crayfish and Minnows Catfish Bow and Hand Fishing This year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) predicts that harvest caps will be met prior to the 16-day season limit. Although a cold weather spell brought lots of snow, spring is just around the corner. It was an F4 female measuring 75.6 inches. Licenses for both fisheries are $20 for Wisconsin residents and $65 for nonresidents and can be purchased through the GoWild system or at any license sales location. From these movement data, we can answer questions about seasonal migrations, river residency and spawning habits. Congrats James! View the full details in today's harvest report. I took the fish to a local taxidermist, he said. The sturgeon spearing season length is usually dictated in part by water clarity of the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago. With 285 fish harvested Upriver this spearing season, there was just over a 50% success rate for spearers with Upriver tags. Spearers with tags for the Upriver lakes can continue to spear until 1 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 18, 2023. Locations can be found in the sturgeon season regulation packet or on the DNR sturgeon spearing webpage. It really is. It was great to see so many participants and their families come out once again to the registration stations. When Gizzard Shad populations are plentiful, they prove to be a good food source for the Lake Sturgeon. Swanson is on the board of directors at Paynes Point Hook and Spear Fishing Club in Neenah. Hopefully the tides will turn, and the forecasted lows will help solidify ice conditions. I called him up, and I said, Sean I need some help over here.'. The spearing season begins on the second Saturday in February and lasts for 16 days or until any of the sex-specific harvest caps for that fishery have been reached. One of the nine fish was the 90.7 lbs., 77.9-inch F1 female speared by Russel Gulig. The season on the Upriver Lakes is closed. Tags Sturgeon Sturgeon Spearing Sturgeon Spearing Season Lake Winnebago Generally, the spears are constructed with long handles, 6-8' in length, and have detachable spearheads. This will likely mean the ice will continue to change. The Otter Street Fishing Club didnt put out their vehicle bridges this year. Harvest caps for the 2021 Winnebago system spearing season are set at 430 juvenile females, 950 adult females and 1,200 males. Check out the Heavy Hitters Club, the largest fish speared over 170 pounds on the Lake Winnebago system since 1941. While she stayed off the DNRs radar during this time, in 1977, Sturgeon for Tomorrows founders were creating an organization to protect her and other Winnebago sturgeon. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. That warmer weather isnt the only thing that triggers them to begin their migration upriver to their spawning grounds, higher water flows in the spring from rain and winter run-off are also major triggers. LAKE WINNEBAGO, Wis. - Anglers in Wisconsin are camping out on the ice this weekend, spear in hand, with the hopes of snagging a freshwater giant. Spearing season runs for a maximum of 16 days or until harvest caps are met. It was another slow day with 11 fish harvested on Lake Winnebago no juvenile females, 5 adult females and 6 males. Rebecca and Korey weren't the only ones with stories to tell. Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 2023 Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Regulations, Lake Winnebago Water Clarity Report, 2023, View the full details in todays harvest report, Click here to view the full Day 13 Harvest Report, Click here to view the full Day 12 Harvest Report, View the full details in today's harvest report, Young of year Gizzard Shad abundances in Lake Winnebago during the Lake Winnebago trawl assessment, View the full details in today's full harvest report, Click here to view the full Day 8 Harvest Report, Check out the Heavy Hitters Club, the largest fish speared over 170 pounds on the Lake Winnebago system since 1941, Sign up for Winnebago System sturgeon spearing updates, Explaining the Increasing Trend in Support for Underwater Cameras for Sturgeon Spearing on the Lake Winnebago System, What you need to know about tagging your sturgeon, Winnebago System sturgeon spearing successful spearer list 2023, Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season summary, 2022, Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season summary, 2021, Winnebago System sturgeon stock assessment report, 2022, Winnebago System chironomid assessment report, 2022. I tried to lift it up, and I cant hardly lift it. Send us your photosfrom the season, and we may use them in future DNR outreach efforts. Good luck to those who brave the ice and rain tomorrow. Mild weather adds to celebrations on opening day of sturgeon spearing season, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Whats bad for ice is the wind and sun. After spearing his fish, he registered it at the Indian Point registration station. shy of the system record (record is 212 . The Winnebago system is home to one of North America's largest lake sturgeon populations and hosts a unique winter spear fishery. This year, 9,474 people applied for a tag or purchased a preference point for the Upriver Lakes. Tuesday was another nice day on the ice with sunshine and cold weather. Saturday's largest catch was Rebecca Van Handel's 143.2-pound female from the Upriver Lakes that measured 75.6 inches and was registered at the Poygan station. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Following the drawing, there is no deadline for those who are successful to purchase a license on the Upriver Lakes. Some fish are mounted as well. The second day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season was considerably slower than yesterday. The DNR said Ice conditions likely prevented many from participating this year. Wisconsin DNR Gerald Peterson's 154.9-pound, 83.4-inch female sturgeon speared on the third day of the 2017 season was about five inchers longer but only two-tenths of a pound heavier than Schumacher's opening day trophy. All applicants that are not awarded a permit accumulate a preference point for use in future drawings. Ice conditions, however, likely prevented many from participating this year. Its these smaller fish (generally 55 inches or smaller) that will one day replace the larger fish. My birthday is Feb. 11, and if I wanted a birthday party growing up, it was a birthday party on the lake.. Photos of spearers with their catch, cutting in, shanty life, scenic views observed during the season or any other captivating spearing traditions are encouraged. Indian Point registered the most fish Upriver with 73 fish. After a spawn, most of her eggs have been released and she is often left with a concave, empty belly. fish harvested today. It was good enough that spearers reported seeing the bottom in many locations around Lake Winnebago. Good luck to those spearing tomorrow and stay safe. Tomorrow, the Neenah registration station will be closed. James Gishkowsky speared a massive 177.3-pound, 79.9-inch female sturgeon from Lake Winnebago. I had another come through at 9 oclock and another at 9:30. At this size, a fish might only grow 2 inches in a matter of 6 years as opposed to their quick growth rate early in life. At the registration station, DNR staff look for signs of this spawning activity while they are identifying a sturgeons sex.
