(Credit: Wisconsin DNR)
OSHKOSH, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season, which open on the Winnebago System on Saturday, Feb. 8.
2025 harvest caps, predictions
By the numbers:
With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the DNR said the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that runs for a maximum of 16 days (it closes Feb. 23) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met.
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This year's harvest caps are:
- Lake Winnebago: 280 juvenile females; 717 adult females; 1,002 males
- Upriver Lakes: 70 juvenile females; 80 adult females; 250 males
- Winnebago System totals: 350 juvenile females; 797 adult females; 1,252 males
Sturgeon spearing registration on Lake Winnebago System
If any harvest cap is met early, a closure notice will be posted to the DNR’s Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage and sent to subscribers of the DNR's Sturgeon Spearing Updates email list.
The DNR said the sturgeon spearing harvest is usually dictated in part by water clarity and ice conditions on the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago. This year’s assessments indicate poor water clarity, which could lead to a lengthy spearing season on Lake Winnebago. The DNR does not check water clarity on the Upriver Lakes, but due to their shallow water, clarity is usually not a major factor in predicting harvest on the waterbodies.
Spearers will be able to find the season forecast and daily harvest updates on the Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage and via email.
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What spearers should know
What you can do:
The DNR reminds spearers that once they have successfully speared a sturgeon, the tag must be validated by tearing off the bottom portion, the sturgeon must then be brought to an official registration station and the spearer needs to be in line by 2 p.m. on the day it was speared.
Any sturgeon harvested from Lake Winnebago must be registered at one of the registration stations on Lake Winnebago, and any sturgeon harvested from the Upriver Lakes – Poygan, Butte des Morts or Winneconne – must be registered at one of the Upriver Lakes registration stations. Check the 2025 sturgeon spearing regulations for specifics.
Wisconsin ice incidents; staying safe on icy lakes
There were at least three ice-related incidents that first responders were called to over the weekend in southeast Wisconsin.
Spearers and spectators are reminded that no ice is 100% safe. The DNR does not monitor ice conditions, so check with local fishing clubs and conservation groups for local ice conditions. Get tips for staying safe on the ice from the DNR’s Ice Safety webpage.
The DNR is looking for photos of the spearing season for communication and outreach efforts. Photos of cutting in, shanty life, spearers with their catch or any other part of the spearing tradition are encouraged.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.