2020 WI DNR Post-Season Sturgeon Report – Summary

The Winnebago System hosts the largest recreational harvest of lake sturgeon and is only one of two systems that have an annual spear harvest (Black Lake, Michigan being the other). The origins of this method of harvest dates back to a Native American practice of spearing sturgeon through a large hole in the ice to provide protein during harsh winters. Overharvest of lake sturgeon throughout their range, coupled with river fragmentation and habitat degradation led to a sharp decrease in lake sturgeon throughout the native range. This led to a the first sturgeon harvest regulations in the 1900’s and eventually a harvest ban from 1915-1931. The winter spear harvest re-opened on the Winnebago System in 1932 and there has been an annual season since. Overharvest is the biggest threat to the long-term sustainability of sturgeon populations. A harvest cap was implemented in 1999 as a way to maintain harvest at or below 5% of the adult population. Currently, the Winnebago System’s spearing harvest is the one of the most regulated fisheries in all of the United States and is home to one of the largest, self-sustaining populations of lake sturgeon in the nation.

This last winter the Winnebago System opened for its 89th spearing season. According to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) reports, over 12,721 spearing licenses were sold for the 2020 season (Lake Winnebago = 12,248; Upriver lakes = 473). However, poor ice conditions and water clarity were not cooperating. Just a week before the season opener, spearers recorded as little 6 inches of ice in some places and observed water clarity under 12 feet. On opening day, there were just over 2,000 shanties reported on the lake, which is almost a 50% decrease from the average.

This resulted in Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes lasting the full 16-day season. This was the 5th consecutive full 16-day season for Lake Winnebago and only the 2nd time in the 14 seasons since the lottery was implemented in the Upriver Lakes that a season went full length (the other being 2017).

The WI DNR records indicate that 491 sturgeon were harvested in Lake Winnebago which ranked 51st highest dating back to 1941 (80 seasons). Spearers in the Upriver Lakes harvest 320 sturgeon.

Despite conditions, some spearers struck gold. The two largest fish speared on the system in 2020 were just 70 lbs. shy of the system record (record is 212.2 pounds). The fish weighed in at 142.0 lbs. (Speared by William Thern) and a respectable 140.0 lbs. (Speared by Vincent Catania).

All sturgeon speared during the season need to be registered at stations located around the lakes. During fish registration, the WI DNR checks each fish for tags and collects data such as the sex, length and weight. They also collect the ovaries from fish in a specific period in its life and stomachs from a limited number of fish. The registration process provides a unique opportunity to study the fish population. All of this data helps the WI DNR better serve the system, mange the fishery to ensure the season continues annually and that the sturgeon population remains healthy.

For the 2020 season, the WI DNR’s objectives for their lake sturgeon harvest assessment on the Winnebago System were to:

1. Obtain sex-specific estimates of sturgeon abundance and exploitation
2. Monitor size structure and condition of the harvestable sturgeon population
3. Monitor sturgeon foraging habits
4. Monitor effort, spearer success rate and demographics of the spearing community
5. Evaluate sturgeon age and growth
6. Add to fecundity data set
7. Promote the sturgeon resource and sturgeon management program through outreach at WI DNR operated registration stations.

Results from the harvest assessment are available in the full WI DNR report: CLICK HERE

In the conclusion of the report, Ryan Koenigs reflected on the season when he said, “…I have mixed opinions about the success of the 2020 sturgeon spearing season. On the surface, the season was a success as thousands of spearers were able to get out and take part in a sport that they love, and they were able to do it safely. Further, there were 811 fish registered during the season, and each one of those fish has a unique story. A story that is now part of the spearing legacy for that individual spearer and will be shared countless times in the future. On the other hand, the reduced participation gives the season a feeling that something was missing”. He goes on to say, “Hopefully Mother Nature will reward us spearers with colder weather and more stable ice conditions in seasons to come so that we can get back to full participation in the sport that we all love”. 

Results from the harvest assessment are available in the full WI DNR report: CLICK HERE

All photos included in this article were sourced from the WI DNR.

Questions? Please contact Ryan Koenigs, Winnebago System Sturgeon Biologist, WI DNR, (920) 303-5450, Ryan.koenigs@wisconsin.gov