Sturgeon starting to spawn, but high waters hampering viewing

Area flooding has impacted the monitoring of sturgeon spawning along the Wolf River.

As of Thursday morning, April 16, 2026, the DNR says areas at popular spawning viewing sites are closed like in New London, Shiocton and the Shawano Dam.

However the fish could be seen at the Princeton Dam in the Upper Fox River.

In the lower Fox River at De Pere there was no activity and at the Peshtigo Dam at the Peshtigo River, there are some sturgeon that have been reported, but viewing conditions are not ideal due to high water flows.

Lake sturgeon begin their trek up area rivers in the Lake Winnebago System and upriver lakes once the water reaches 53 degrees.

You can get updated viewing information and area closures on the Wisconsin DNR’s Sturgeon Spawning page.