2025 Sturgeon Spearing season starts today – area law enforcement say be cautious on ice

The 2025 sturgeon spearing season begins this morning at 7:00 a.m. in the Winnebago water system. The season will close on February 23rd or when any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met.

Juvenile females will be capped at 350 with 280 on Lake Winnebago and 70 on the up river lakes. Adult females will be 797 with 717 on Lake Winnebago and 80 on the up river lakes and Males will be capped at 1252 with 1002 on Lake Winnebago and 250 on the up river lakes.

These numbers are very similar to the 2024 caps with the main difference being the adult female cap has been lowered by 53 for this year.

Sturgeon Spearing season runs from February 8, through the 23rd or until any one of the caps has been reached. If any harvest cap is met, a closure notice will be posted to the Department of Natural Resources’ Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage.

The quality of the sturgeon season is often determined by water clarity on Lake Winnebago, and this year’s assessment by the DNR is indicating that poor water clarity could mean a long spearing season.

Ice quality is also proving to be an issue for anglers this year and law enforcement agencies surrounding Lake Winnebago are urging spearers to stay up to date with local fishing clubs who provide continuous updates on the lake’s ice conditions.