Sturgeon Report – Day Two : DNR says Snow and Big Fish Highlight the Day

It was a snowy day two of the 2020 sturgeon spearing season – but a steady harvest of fish was seen on both Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes, despite the conditions.

DNR Sturgeon Biologist Ryan Koenigs says day two was highlighted by big fish – with a 142.3 pound, 80 inch sturgeon being registered at Wendt’s by William Thern. Andrew Dumask also speared a big fish on Sunday – registering a 139.3 pound, 78.2 inch sturgeon off of Lake Winnebago.

Koenigs tells us that a total of 30 fish were registered from Lake Winnebago on day two, bringing the season total to just 74 fish. On the Upriver Lakes, 23 sturgeon were harvested on Sunday – bringing the season total there to 124 fish.

The spearing season on Lake Winnebago is expected to go the full 16 days – while it looks as if the same might be true on the Upriver Lakes as well. Only 31 adult females have been speared on the Upriver Lakes – meaning we are 55 adult females away from the 90% trigger. Koenigs explains that unless there is a substantial increase in the adult female harvest – the season on the Upriver Lakes may also go 16 days.