Hopefully the tides will turn, and the forecasted lows will help solidify ice conditions. Wisconsin 2023 Sturgeon Spearing Season Opens Feb. 11 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. This years harvest caps have been set at: If harvest caps are met early, a closure notice will be posted to the DNRsWinnebago System sturgeon spearing webpage. Another one came from Charles Jet, who seems to know what he's doing when it comes to spearing. A bar on the lake by the name of T.J.s Bar and Restaurant is going to mount it and hang it in their bar.. Spearers who could get out onto the ice safely experienced a warm, sunny day and good water clarity. This will likely mean the ice will continue to change. This winter event is rich in tradition, and 2021 will be another year for spearers to uphold or create new traditions in pursuit of the fish of a lifetime.. Recorded low chironomid densities (lake fly larvae/red worms) this year may also impact sturgeon distribution around Lake Winnebago. At 85.5 inches, Eiden's sturgeon could have surpassed a different record, ifrecords were determinedby length as well as weight. Josh Ausloos speared the final "biggest fish of the day" for this season, a 106.9 pound, 75.4 inches, F1 female registered at the Pipe registration station. Spearers interested in fishing the Upriver Lakes must apply for a permit or purchase a preference point before an Aug. 1 deadline. Wisconsin sturgeon spearing season an event for family from Van Dyne One hundred and five fish were harvested between Lake Winnebago and the Upriver lakes. Contact Daphne Lemke at 920-907-7968 or dlemke@gannett.com. Angler Catches Massive 16-Pound Walleye While Ice Fishing on Lake Ontario. The second day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season was considerably slower than yesterday. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported ice conditions likely kept some spearfishers on shore. at the Poygan registration station. Mild weather adds to celebrations on opening day of sturgeon spearing season, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Each spearing group has its traditions that they celebrate with each passing year. Please check the2023 sturgeon spearing regulationsfor specifics. Track the rest of the season online here. There are enough resources for the fish to grow to over 100 lbs. The system-wide harvest caps are 430 juvenile females, 950 . Remember to be safe and that no ice is 100% safe. | The Pipe registration station took the lead in the number of fish registered on opening weekend with 124 fish and has consistently had the highest registration numbers throughout the season with a final count of 399 fish. MADISON, Wis. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season opener on Feb. 11, giving spearers a chance to harvest Wisconsins largest and oldest fish species. According to the WDNR, Winnebago is home to one of North Americas largest lake sturgeon populations, and its one of the few places in the world with a wintertime spearfishing season for sturgeon. 2022 Sturgeon spearing season wraps up in big way | WFRV - WEAREGREENBAY Good luck to those who brave the ice and rain tomorrow. 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. When you dub yourself the Sturgeon Center of the World, you really mean it. The survey not only asked about on-camera opinions but also the use of the sturgeon hole and other technologies during sturgeon spearing and other recreational fishing activities. Continued warm weather today likely caused spearers to leave the ice early. 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. 1969 and 1973 are tied for smallest harvest years, yielding eight sturgeon each. Ice conditions were excellent opening day. In the end, though, it revolves around the opportunity to tag one of the largest fish in North America. Lake sturgeon spearing is highly regulated in Wisconsin, with limited numbers collected annually in the Winnebago system. Sturgeon spearing season kicks off on Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago I think I see a few less shacks out there. Just $1 per month , James Gishkowsky harvested the 6.6-foot behemoth during Wisconsin's annual sturgeon spearing season, By Access points near Indian Point made it difficult to access the lake. Pete Halbach was another successful spearer Upriver today. Spearers in the Upriver Lakes harvest 320 sturgeon. Applicants authorized for an Upriver Lakes tag have until the start of the spearing season to purchase a license and cannot purchase one for Lake Winnebago. These efforts have helped strengthen and grow sturgeon populations nationwide, including in Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. Father and son duo Paul and Eli Muche both speared big fish during this snowy Thursday. At Winneconne, Griffin Hechimovich helped register Grandpa Hank Heckmovichs fish, a 67.3 inch, 75.6 lbs., M2 male. Paynes Point Hook and Spear told Action 2 News there is 13 to 16 inches of ice in the area right now but its starting to melt. 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 Its these smaller fish (generally 55 inches or smaller) that will one day replace the larger fish. There were 3 fish harvested today over 100 pounds. Congrats to all successful spearers. Many who took to the ice today found success, with 522 sturgeon harvested. The Winnebago system is home to one of North America's largest lake sturgeon populations and hosts a unique winter spear fishery. 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.