'Sturgeon general': Wisconsin state biologist charged with caviar scam Last year, the Ziemer family tradition continued when Wyatt (center) harvested this 107.9 lbs, 73.8 inch long lake sturgeon. The Pipe registration station continues to have the highest daily harvest, with 11 fish and 354 fish for the season. Korey Krupp scored the biggest fish on Lake Winnebago, a 135.5 lbs, 76.1 inch, F4 female. Todays largest fish was a 154.0 lbs., 79.5 inches, F2 female speared on Lake Winnebago by Michael Eggers. For the season, the Upriver Lakes harvested 33 juvenile females, 74 adult females, and 178 males, for a total of 285 fish. On Valentines Day, a Wisconsin ice fisherman named James Gishkowsky speared a massive sturgeon through an ice hole on Lake Winnebago. Years with good Gizzard Shad populations correlate with years when Lake Sturgeon increased weight due to the fat deposits from this fatty forage source. By Congrats again to all our spearers. Hes like three miles out in the lake. On Lake Winnebago, 21 fish were harvested with three juvenile females, nine adult females and nine males. It was speared by Jackson Goldapske and registered at the Southwest Winnebago station. Those caps are 1,200 male sturgeon, 875 adult females, and 400 juvenile females. I threw the spear out, and I held onto the rope andby GodI hit it., Related: Angler Catches Massive 16-Pound Walleye While Ice Fishing on Lake Ontario. The tradition draws thousands of participants and spectators out. After spearing his fish, he registered it at the Indian Point registration station. Photos of spearers with their catch, cutting in, shanty life, scenic views observed during the season or any other captivating spearing traditions are encouraged. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Congratulations to all our successful spearers today! OSHKOSH, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds those interested in sturgeon spearing that they have until Oct. 31, 2022, to purchase a license for the 2023 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season. To everyone headed back out tomorrow, remember to be safe. This years Upriver season lasted 8 days compared to 4 in 2022. Wisconsin DNR official illegally exchanged sturgeon eggs for caviar Yes, the person with a valid license is the only person who can spear a fish. They are full of an additional 20-30 pounds of eggs. Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ryan Koenigs, DNR Winnebago sturgeon biologist. The 2023seasonruns a maximum of 16 days or until the pre-determined harvest caps are met. Continued warm weather today likely caused spearers to leave the ice early. The winds have blown away hazard markers indicating cracks and shoves. The DNRs involvement in lake sturgeon rehabilitation programs and partnerships with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the U.S. It will be interesting to see what the warmer weather this winter does for the Gizzard Shad populations in Lake Winnebago and if it influences the number of large, heavy lake sturgeon we see next spearing season. By comparison, the average weight and length from the 2020 harvest in Lake Winnebago was 51.1 pounds and 58.5 inches. Lake Winnebago has the. Saturday brought a sunny and cold morning with lots of action for our spearers. All rights reserved. When sturgeon are young, they have sharp scutes along their bodies that are modified scales used for protection. The largest fish this season was a 177.3 pound, 79.9 inches, F4 female that was speared on Lake Winnebago and registered at the Southwest Winnebago registration station. FV or MV stages indicate a fish that is not yet sexually mature. I mean, you can pull up to anyones shack and theyre going to congratulate you. Prosecutors have charged Ryan Koenigs, a top sturgeon expert at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with obstructing an investigation after he alleged that his workers were. Locations with drive-thru options are marked in red. Reminder: Get Your Sturgeon License By Oct. 31 | Wisconsin DNR In 1953, sturgeon enthusiasts were quick to find previous catches that had already broken Schroeder'srecord, citing Arthur Haferman and Michael Goyke's 187.5-pound catch on a set-line in Oshkosh from 1913 and Glen Marsh's 211-pound sturgeon from 1911 in Northwest Wisconsin, caught by a pike pole spear. Congrats to all successful spearers. and measured 76.1 inches long. This years harvest caps have been set at: If harvest caps are met early, a closure notice will be posted to the DNRsWinnebago System sturgeon spearing webpage. If you're interested in making a tax-deductible donation please. The spears used are also hand-made by local vendors and come in all shapes and sizes. A minimum of 8 points were necessary to be drawn for a tag. Despite the impending winter storm, a few anglers made it out on the ice Wednesday. 2023 www.fdlreporter.com. The small Village of Stockbridge, Wisconsin has trademarked the name Sturgeon Center of the World and it certainly seemed like it on Februaru 11, opening day of Wisconsins 2017 Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season. The heat index ranged from 120-128F during the summer, some of Wisconsins highest temperatures recorded. Sturgeon spearing: Harvest totals increase | WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay We hope to see all these future spearers successfully registering fish when they are old enough. 2004 also nearly heldthe record for largest harvest within the caps, at 1,854 sturgeon, but 2015 beat it out with 1,870. Then I see the fish, and I thought: Oh my God, he said. If youd planned on registering your fish there, please head to the next closest registration station. Tuesday was another nice day on the ice with sunshine and cold weather. This fish was speared by Michael Meetz and registered at the Pipe registration shack. but also enough resources to allow the next generation to thrive. This was the first year since 2020 that registration stations were back to supper clubs and other businesses, after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to drive-thru stations. On the Upriver Lakes, 56 out of 79 adult female sturgeon have been speared, ending the weekend with 71% of the allotted fish speared. The survey not only asked about on-camera opinions but also the use of the sturgeon hole and other technologies during sturgeon spearing and other recreational fishing activities. Locations can be found in the sturgeon season regulation packet or on the DNR sturgeon spearing webpage. Not only were spearers successful today but they were also treated to some large fish. And as always, if you head back onto the ice tomorrow, remember to be safe. Only 3,100 shacks were counted during Saturdays aerial counts, down significantly from the almost 6,000 shacks last year. Both fish were among 19 sturgeon weighing over 100 pounds speared on Saturday, and 33. Any fish harvested from Lakes Butte des Morts, Winneconneor Poygan (the Upriver Lakes) must be registered at one of the registration stations on the Upriver Lakes. The second day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season was considerably slower than yesterday. However, the most licenses sold was 13,190 in 2016, a year that only saw3,831 shanties on opening day. The effort pays off for individual spearers as well: existing sturgeon now have a better opportunity to grow older and older and bigger and bigger. Gizzard Shad are not native to Lake Winnebago and do not tolerate the freezing winters well. Tomorrow, the Neenah registration station will reopen. Please include a brief description for use in future outreach efforts. Despite the slow day, a record-setting fish was caught! Only 7 fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago today, with 1 juvenile female, 3 adult females and 3 males. WINNEBAGO SYSTEM STURGEON SPEARING - Wisconsin DNR This includes those shanties where the hole is temporarily covered. The DNR has received reports of off-highway vehicles and ice fishing shacks going through the ice. With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that will run for a maximum of 16 days (Feb. 26) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met. Wisconsin DNR to use drive-through registration for sturgeon Overharvesting was a main problem that affected the Lake Winnebago system sturgeon population in the past, which is why each spearing season since 1999 has hadpre-set harvest caps based on estimated population on top of the 16-day season limit. In 1979, the same year ESPN launched its cable network, the first successful efforts to propagate lake sturgeon artificially occurred. Your safety is a top priority. Sturgeon, a large fish found in rivers and lakes across the. As sturgeon grow to larger sizes, such as the 100-pound fish we see during the spearing season, they do not need protection from these scutes. The largest fish from the Upriver lakes was a 162.6 lbs., 76.1-inch female from Lake Poygan. Approximately 12,200 sturgeon spearing licenses were sold for the 2021 season. We will continue to keep you posted on what stations are opened or closed. With better water clarity this year, we should see a good harvest, though the warm weather could deteriorate ice conditions which may reduce spearing success. As we approach the weekend, we wish all the spearers luck. The Indian Point registration station led the way for the Upriver Lakes, with 73 fish registered. Please check the2023 sturgeon spearing regulationsfor specifics. The DNR tries to tag as many Lake Sturgeon during the spring with these PIT tags as possible. The DNR said Ice conditions likely prevented many from participating this year. We are halfway through the season. Since around the 2000s, the DNR has tagged over 20,000 fish with these PIT tags in the Winnebago system. The season opens Feb. 11, 2023, for Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes of Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan. As part of the registration process, the DNR is looking for Lake Sturgeon that have been previously tagged. This is the first time weve seen harvest this slow since 2019 when we had a few days with only 10 fish harvested. Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that will run for a maximum of 16 days (Feb. 26) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met. The season on Lake Winnebago has lasted the full 16 days since 2016, but the years 2000, 2001 and 2004 are tied for the shortest season at two days. There were also 21 fish harvested over 100 lbs., with 16 from Lake Winnebago and 5 from the Upriver Lakes. F2 female from Lake Winnebago. Moving forward, the Neenah registration station will remain closed for the rest of the season. Korey Krupp speared the largest sturgeon from Lake Winnebago with a 135.5-pound, 76.1-inch female. If you are headed out tomorrow good luck and, as always, be safe. Father and son duo Paul and Eli Muche both speared big fish during this snowy Thursday. The first modern sturgeon fishery took place in 1932. Please visit the fishing license webpage for more information. 2023 sturgeon spearing opening weekend sees 783 successful spearers The snow and winter weather likely caused the slow spearing day. The spearing season begins on the second Saturday in February and lasts for 16 days or until any of the sex-specific harvest caps for that fishery have been reached. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported ice conditions likely kept some spearfishers on shore. The first modern sturgeon spearing season kicked off back in 1932, and the tradition has remained strong ever since. Gishkowsky, who lives on the lake, said hes having the sturgeons roe processed into caviar, and hell be smoking the meat. After a spawn, most of her eggs have been released and she is often left with a concave, empty belly. Review the 2023 Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Regulationsfor the upcoming season. Many families came out just to see some of the big fish. Gerald Petersons 154.9-pound, 83.4-inch female sturgeon speared on the third day of the 2017 season was about five inchers longer but only two-tenths of a pound heavier than Schumachers opening day trophy. Happy opening day of the 2023 Winnebago Sturgeon spearing season! Southwest Winnebago had four fish registered, the highest on the lake today. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. There were 169 lake sturgeon harvested Upriver (20 juvenile females, 46 adult females and 103 males) and 353 harvested on Lake Winnebago (35 juvenile females, 171 adult females and 147 males). Click here to view the full Day 8 Harvest Report. In 2020, the biggest fish snagged from the Upriver Lakes was 140 pounds and 75 inches, speared by Vincent Catania of North Fond du Lac, but 2021 beat that catch by over 10 pounds with Steven Lenz's. This makes a total of 1,027 Lake Sturgeon harvested for Lake Winnebago. The Pipe registration station continues to see the highest harvest of the season, with a daily total of 59 fish. There are enough resources for the fish to grow to over 100 lbs. On Valentine's Day, a Wisconsin ice fisherman named James Gishkowsky speared a massive sturgeon through an ice hole on Lake Winnebago. Good luck to those who brave the ice and rain tomorrow. With the warm temperatures, today was again a slow day for spearing on the Winnebago system. Both require a spearing license to participate. We wish you good luck and clear water. In 2008, cities surrounding Lake Winnebago were hit with a large storm, causing major flooding and extensive damage to many homes around Lake Winnebago. The equipment needed to participate in sturgeon spearing is relatively specialized. Minnows can be used provided they are in a sealed container. The sturgeon spearing season length is usually dictated in part by water clarity of the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago. We wish the best of luck to everyone! All license holders must be a minimum of 12 years old. This tag has no battery, a distinct 15-digit ID number and will last practically forever. It was good enough that spearers reported seeing the bottom in many locations around Lake Winnebago. More information on harvest trends and management for the Lake Winnebago sturgeon fishery can be found on the DNRs fisheries webpage. Today, 29 fish were harvested on Lake Winnebago with 3 juvenile females, 15 adult females and 11 males. Updated: Feb 20, 2022 / 12:48 PM CST. Female stages are V, 1, 2, 4 or 6, while male stages include V, 1 or 2. We will continue to post updates on what stations are open or closed. Sturgeon spearing: Harvest totals pick up | WFRV Today, 73 sturgeon were harvested on Lake Winnebago (13 juvenile females, 26 adult females, 34 males). With warmer temperatures continuing to prevail today, only 72 fish were harvested throughout the system, with 58 from Lake Winnebago (5 juvenile females, 27 adult females, 26 males) and 14 from the Upriver lakes (0 juvenile females, 3 adult females, 11 males). Of that total, 353 sturgeon came from Lake Winnebago, and 169 came from the Upriver Lakes. Because of the warm weather and the concern about ice conditions after the expected rain tonight, we are temporarily closing the Neenah registration station. The largest fish harvested today was an 81.1-pound male which was 64.5 inches long. Ice conditions, however, likely prevented many from participating this year. Today, 12 lake sturgeon were harvested from the Upriver Lakes (0 juvenile female, 1 adult female, and 11 male). Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and BaitHarvest Regulations2020-2021 Effective April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 Includes regulations on: Rough Fish Spearing Dipnetting Rough Fish Bowfishing and Underwater Spear Fishing Harvesting Turtles, Frogs, Crayfish and Minnows Catfish Bow and Hand Fishing Wisconsin DNR Gerald Peterson's 154.9-pound, 83.4-inch female sturgeon speared on the third day of the 2017 season was about five inchers longer but only two-tenths of a pound heavier than Schumacher's opening day trophy. This is about half the fish that were registered yesterday. Ninety-three fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (11 juvenile females, 49 adult females, and 33 males). This year's season came to an end for the Upriver Lakes on Saturday, yielding the largest harvest since 2007 with 364 sturgeon. One fishery occurs on Lake Winnebago, where the number of licenses sold for that fishery is not restricted, and an individual spearer can only purchase one license per season. While we all continue to hope for cold weather, Monday's forecast continues to look bright, sunny and warm. If you are returning to the ice tomorrow, we wish you the best of luck and, as always, please be safe. Decoy types are unlimited if they don't involve any artificial lights (glow sticks are illegal) or hooks. The DNR would love to see your highlights of the season. Eight fish were harvested from Lake Winnebago (0 juvenile females, 4 adult females, 4 males) and three from the Upriver lakes (0 juvenile females, 1 adult female, 2 males). (WFRV) - The 2022 sturgeon spearing season officially wrapped up on Sunday with spearers already looking forward to next year. Paynes Point Hook and Spear told Action 2 News there is 13 to 16 inches of ice in the area right now but its starting to melt. People are also reading OUR VIEW: 6 big reasons to vote today Some fish are mounted as well. So I got on the phone with Sean Wendts. She lived through many changes in governments, environmental impacts, technological advances and regulation changes. (WFRV) - The sun wasn't the only thing shining on the second to last day of the sturgeon spearing season. As it gets warmer, of course the ice will deteriorate on top first. For up-to-date harvest information, visit our sturgeon spearing webpage. The latest water clarity report is available for review:Lake Winnebago Water Clarity Report, 2023. Ice Fisherman Spears Massive 177-Pound Sturgeon | Field & Stream Despite challenging ice conditions, sturgeon spearing season is deemed Contact Daphne Lemke atdlemke@gannett.com. It allows the DNR to assess the population, implement habitat projects, conduct research projects and implement the best management for this world-renowned resource, Koenigs said. Further, the system is one of only two locations where lake sturgeon can be harvested with a spear (Black Lake, Michigan is the other). Although this female sturgeon was about 36, well within spawning age and spawning every four to five years, she was never handled or pit tagged by the DNR during the annual spawn surveys. Just $1 per month . The 2023 sturgeon spearing season will open on Feb. 11 at 7 a.m. Spearers can fish from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. each day the fishery is open and is required to register their fish at a DNR-operated registration station by 2 p.m. of the same day the fish is harvested. Both came from the Pipe registration shack, including the fish speared by Alex Wilkens at 101.6 lbs. The big fish for the day was an 87.6 lbs., 72.8-inch M2 male speared by Aaron Muche. For those unfamiliar with sturgeon spearing, it is "a sport rich in tradition" in the Winnebago system, as stated on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.. and measuring 80.5 inches long. Some locations will continue to offer the drive-thru registration option. Meanwhile, in downtown Oshkosh, Croix, JJ, and Remi Holz helped their dad, Josh Holz, measure his 30.3 lbs., 52.9-inch sturgeon. Please follow the signs and cones at each registration station to ensure a smooth registration. The Pipe registration station saw the highest number of harvested fish for Lake Winnebago, with 124 lake sturgeon. Do not forget to check with your local fishing club for up-to-date ice conditions. Check out the Heavy Hitters Club, the largest fish speared over 170 pounds on the Lake Winnebago system since 1941. Licenses for the Lake Winnebago spear fishery must be purchased before Oct. 31, 2020, except for military personnel home on leave during the spearing season and youth turning 12 years old between Nov. 1, 2020 and the last day of the 2021 spearing season. She showed how she could persevere through challenges as a dinosaur fish when she endured a deadly heat wave in 1995. Ive been going all my life, and Ive got eight brothers and sisters who spear. It really is. The fishing clubs use caution. David Propson of Kiel, a student at UW-Green Bay, got this awesome photo of a 61-inch, 51-pound lake sturgeon speared on Lake Winnebago by his father, Peter Propson of Kiel. Today, another large female was speared just off of downtown Oshkosh. The lake, at its deepest, is only 21 feet, with an average depth of about 15 feet. These scutes will then wear down, and either fall off or, as the lake sturgeon gets larger, the skin will envelop the scute. At the registration station, DNR staff look for signs of this spawning activity while they are identifying a sturgeons sex. Before spawning, a females belly becomes stretched out to accommodate all the eggs inside her. It was nice to see families and friends taking advantage of the last weekend of this spearing season. Only 7 fish were harvested, with 0 juvenile females, 3 adult females and 4 males. If you planned to register your fish there, please head to the next closest registration station. 2021 Sturgeon Spearing Season Updates | Wisconsin DNR Track the rest of the season online here. The survey also asked about spearers' involvement in sturgeon management with the WCC or other committees, as well as general knowledge of lake sturgeon life history. The DNR would love to see your highlights of the season. There are six drive-thru stations. The minimum spearing age is 12 years old. It is also one of only two places on the continent where anglers can harvest the massive, prehistoric fish with spears. Wisconsin, a state that prides itself on outdoor traditions such as hunting and fishing, holds a sturgeon spearing season every February on the Lake Winnebago system near Oshkosh, about 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee. 2020 WI DNR Post-Season Sturgeon Report - Summary Joe Sheilds speared a 125.6 lbs., 73.4 inches, F4 female. Ice fisherman spears 177-pound sturgeon, joins Heavy Hitters Club Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. This is half of what was counted in 2022. Published Feb 16, 2023 3:37 PM EST. This weekend, many spearers were seen pulling their shacks on both Lake Winnebago and the Upriver lakes before the forecasted warm weather and rain set for tomorrow. Season Photos Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition. This year also yielded the highest-known opening day shanty count, with 2,079. Spearer after . 22-Year-Old Spears Giant Sturgeon on Lake Winnebago - Outdoor Life For comparison, 1,519 fish were harvested in 2022 when ice conditions were ideal. The Upriver Lakes added their fishery lottery in 2007 for the same reason. Locations can be found in the sturgeon spearing regulation packet or on the DNR's sturgeon spearing webpage. With the wintery weather expected for the next few days, please be safe on the roads as you travel to Lake Winnebago and while out on the ice. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke. Angler Catches Massive 16-Pound Walleye While Ice Fishing on Lake Ontario. I think I see a few less shacks out there. The Gizzard Shad population during the Winnebago trawl assessment saw a small uptick in densities but nothing compared to previous boom years. While we get excited about seeing the big fish come in, it is also good to see smaller fish as well. shy of the system record (record is 212 . Most fish are consumed by the spearer, with smoking and frying being the two most common preparation techniques. MADISON, Wis. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season opener on Feb. 11, giving spearers a chance to harvest Wisconsins largest and oldest fish species. Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a sport rich in tradition. The only station with more is the Pipe registration station, with 6 fish registered over 100 pounds. This is the 7th largest fish ever speared from the Winnebago system! Sturgeon spearers are allowed to harvest fish from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and must register their catches by 2 p.m. each day at a DNR-operated registration station. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Locations are listed in the sturgeon season regulation packet. This array expanded from 22 receivers in just the Wolf River in 2004 to more than 60 as of 2022 throughout the entire Winnebago system, including Lake Winnebago and the upper and parts of the lower Fox River. The biggest fish harvested was an F1 female that weighed 83.3 lbs. Youth who turn 12 years of age between Nov. 1 and the last day of the spearing season can purchase a spearing license after the deadline. The season on the Upriver Lakes is closed. Guelig says the sturgeon was a mature adult female that had an estimated 50 pounds of highly-prized roe, which Guelig will make into caviar. It was great seeing everyone back at the regular registration stations; we enjoyed being able to celebrate with you and hear your spearing stories. Photos of spearers with their catch, cutting in, shanty life, scenic views observed during the season or any other captivating spearing traditions are encouraged. Send us your photosfrom the season, and we may use them in future DNR outreach efforts. at the Poygan registration station. Wisconsin's sturgeon spearing tradition opens with frigid forecast Keep close attention to local spearing/fishing club reports. With 285 fish harvested Upriver this spearing season, there was just over a 50% success rate for spearers with Upriver tags.
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