The adult population contains more fish than we have had in decades and includes a strong representation of 100+ pound fish," says Ryan Koenigs, Department of Natural Resources Winnebago System sturgeon biologist. Species not listed have no open season. Do you have talents and interests you'd like to share? "Your chariot has arrived," Muche said. While these tables may be helpful in planning fishing trips, they are not meant as a substitute for the dates provided in the various fishing regulations.
It is also illegal to take, transport, possess or sell within the state any wild animals specified by the DNR's endangered or threatened species list. Four "sturgeon virgins" filled one of the shacks Saturday.

The success of the fishery and the fish population is a testament to the strong co-management of the sturgeon resource between DNR staff, stakeholder groups and passionate members of the public, Koenigs said.

License costs are $20 for residents and $65 for non-residents and can be purchased by visiting GoWild.Wi.gov or in person at a license sales location. And most who've tried it know there may be no Wisconsin outdoor activity that forges bonds between families and friends as well as sturgeon spearing. The 2020 sturgeon spearing season kicks off at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 and will run for 16 days or until DNR harvest caps are reached, whichever comes first. The seasons run for a maximum of 16 days or until pre-set harvest caps are reached. It wasn't meant to carry gear, but people. Thousands of people are expected to take to the ice for the 2020 sturgeon spearing season. 'The lake sturgeon population in the Winnebago System is robust, both in terms of abundance and size. And they shared an experience they'll be talking about for years. At 7:50 a.m., Hunter Messerschmidt, 24, saw the white of a sturgeon's nose appear on the bottom under his shack. Be sure to be familiar with the fish on this list. Fifteen members of the Muche family were on the ice Saturday. Only two more days to go in the 2020 season. Over the next five hours, they told stories, ate and drank, and saw several yellow perch. "I've always thought of it as a communal thing," said Muche, 49. Unfortunately, poor water clarity has impacted each of these seasons and each has gone the full 16-days. Fisheries personnel with the Department of Natural Resources worked hand-in-hand with residents around lakes Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Poygan and Winneconne to save the local sturgeon population and establish a management system that has allowed both the fish and a spearing culture to thrive.

"I can guarantee you no one is doing this in Iowa right now," Wright said. Lake sturgeon And hitched to his vehicle was arguably the most important piece of equipment – a 20-foot utility trailer. The average harvest over this time period has been 514 lake sturgeon from Lake Winnebago and 305 from the Upriver Lakes. (Effective Date: April 1, 2020; Dates Inclusive), Early inland trout (catch and release) "He didn't even have time to get bored," his grandfather said. The DNR reported 2,439 shacks on Saturday, 47% fewer than opening day in 2019. The rest of the crew will be back on the ice Sunday. Dates for fishing seasons are organized alphabetically by fish species. This is the only way to determine whether or not the waters you plan to fish follow the season dates for general inland waters. Military personnel home on leave can also purchase a license after the Oct. 31 deadline. The 2020 spearing season opens on … A chain saw with an extra long bar lay across the back seat floor. "We're eager to see what it's all about.". OSHKOSH, Wis. — Anticipation is building for another season of lake sturgeon fishing on the Winnebago System. The Wisconsin Department of Natural resources says conditions were not ideal for the opening of the 2020 Lake Winnebago System spearing season, but clearly that did not stop Lefeber. General inland trout May 2 (5 a.m.) to Oct. 15. However, the 2020 Winnebago System season could end early if … Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Then the "Winnebago express" was off, headed to spearing shanties positioned off the western shore of Lake Winnebago.

But the Muche shanties also had plenty of non-family in them, even first-time spearers from out of state. Need an expert? Not all Wisconsin waters follow the general dates for the hook and line or trout season. Opening day for Wisconsin fishing is traditionally the first Saturday in May. For the Hawkeyes, it was like being transported to another planet. Contact the Office of Communications. MADISON, Wis. - The deadline to purchase licenses for the 2020 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season is Oct. 31, with state biologists forecasting great opportunities to land the fish of a lifetime. To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below. Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Larry Bonde of Kiel, an experienced and successful spearer, summed it up in a light-hearted Facebook post. This information is provided for general orientation only. Sept. 5 to Sept. 30 (hook-and-line), Free fishing weekends Youth who turn 12 between Nov. 1 and the last day of the 2020 spearing season can purchase a spearing license after Oct. 31. In these parts, such saws don't cut trees as often as they make refrigerator-sized holes in the ice. "If you aren't from around here, it's not something you're likely to be familiar with," said Ron Bruch, retired DNR sturgeon biologist from Oshkosh. Largemouth bass northern zone harvest May 2 to March 7, 2021. From the outside, it can be hard to understand. PO Box 7921  |  Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. The Office of Communications connects journalists with DNR experts on a wide range of topics. For the fastest response, please email DNRPress@Wisconsin.gov and the first available Communications Specialist will respond to you. Forty-five minutes later, a sturgeon swam under Pete Messerschmidt's shack.
January 16-17, 2021 (winter). Within minutes, Muche had hitched the trailer to a UTV and nine parka-clad sturgeon spearers clambered aboard. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. The 2020 spearing season offers another opportunity to renew those traditions." Forest managementTopics: fire, health, landowners, Lands and outdoor activitiesTopics: activities, parks, property management, Environmental protectionTopics: spills, air quality, cleanup & redevelopment, managing waste, Water resourcesTopics: drinking water, watershed, fisheries. He asked his grandfather, Steve Messerschmidt, 68, if it was big enough. May 2 to March 7, 2021, Largemouth bass northern zone harvest As the 2020 season approaches, DNR Sturgeon Biologist Ryan Koenigs says the Lake Sturgeon population throughout the system is robust. Large and smallmouth bass catch and release "It's a marathon, not a sprint," Muche said.

"It really brings people in this region together.". For a couple weeks in February, the unique activity takes hold of the region. And there's the potentially risky side of sturgeon spearing which requires travel on ice.