sturgeon spearing – Hunt. Fish. Travel. Tell the story.

Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing 2026: Population Update, Harvest Caps, and Fishery Health Report

When the February wind sweeps across the ice and the shacks dot the horizon, you know exactly where you are on the legendary waters of Lake Winnebago. This is not just another Midwest lake. This is tradition. This is heritage. This is sturgeon season.

Spearing on Winnebago is not simply a pastime. It is a chapter in Wisconsin’s outdoor story. And as the 2026 season rolls on, anglers are once again finding success beneath the dark water and thick ice.

But beyond the shanties, decoys, and long spears lies the bigger question. How are the fish really doing? Continue reading “Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing 2026: Population Update, Harvest Caps, and Fishery Health Report”

The HuntFishTravel Podcast Episode #242 – Eric Schmidt & the Sturgeon for Tomorrow North Chapter Banquet

In this episode of the HuntFishTravel Podcast, I welcome Eric Schmidt, the recording secretary for the Northern half chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow. We discuss the culture and community surrounding sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin, the importance of conservation efforts, and the upcoming banquet that supports these initiatives. Eric shares insights into the history of sturgeon conservation, the role of local chapters, and the exciting details of the banquet, including raffles and prizes. The conversation highlights the passion and dedication of volunteers working to preserve this unique fishing tradition.

Audio Only:

Youtube:

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Sturgeon Spearing and Guests
01:42 The Role of Sturgeon for Tomorrow
05:07 The Culture of Sturgeon Spearing
10:31 The Banquet Experience
20:30 Upcoming Banquet Details and Raffles

Links:

Photos from the 2024 Sturgeon for Tomorrow North Chapter Banquet:

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A History of the Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon

Learn about the history of the Lake Sturgeon in Wisconsin, one of our nation’s greatest conservation story.

Many moons ago when Wisconsin was first settled, the settlers that took up residence around Lake Winnebago, were either farmers or fishermen.

The fishermen took advantage of the bounty that still, to this day, resides in Lake Winnebago.

In the early 19^th century, fishermen became dismayed when they realized their nets were being destroyed by an ancient fish native to the Great Lakes region. The torpedo shaped fish had five rows of bony plates that would easily cut the nets; they were deemed “garbage fish” much like carp is today. The fishermen began to slaughter the bony fish that would get caught and tear the nets by the thousands in an attempt to eradicate these pests. Continue reading “A History of the Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon”

The Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon, a Species in Peril?

Jim Willes discusses the successful conservation efforts of the lake sturgeon in Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago system, highlighting the local…

The mighty lake sturgeon, a prehistoric dinosaur of a fish—a creature with a face only a mother could love. Well, a mother and thousands of people in Wisconsin. The sturgeon has faced extinction across the globe. Continue reading “The Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon, a Species in Peril?”

Deadline Oct 31, 2018 Join Me For the 2019 Sturgeon Spearing weekend

Group Sturgeon Weekend is February 9-10

Full season is February 9 – 24, 2019, deadline for tags is October 31, 2018.

The group will participate in “cutting in” on Friday, Feb 8. We will spear and attend an evening bonfire on the lake Saturday, Feb 9, and spear Sunday, Feb 10.

Sturgeon Spearing Info:

WI DNR Info
Find the 2019 Regulations here.
You must be 12 years or older to spear sturgeon and the deadline for putting in your application is October 31st.
Spearing hours are 7:00am – 1:00pm. (You can always go ice fishing afterwards!)
Minimum length is 36”
It is helpful to have a truck/SUV to get you to your shanty but it is not imperative, as there’s always someone to hitch a ride with.
Fond du Lac is 1 hour, 15 minutes north of General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee.

2019 Cost details:

Oshkosh/Fond du Lac Hotel: $50-$100/night.

Shanty rentals per day:

$200 per spearing hole per day. Single hole and double hole shanties available. Total weekend Saturday and Sunday shanty rental cost: $400 for a single shanty/$800 for double shanty.
Generally 1 person per hole, but 2 people per hole if you want to trade off and fight over who gets to spear the sturgeon when it shows up!
All spearing equipment is provided with the shanty rental, shanty/1 spear hole/decoy/heat.
Contact Tyler Jackson 920-602-2322 to reserve your shanty (don’t wait – shanty rentals are in high demand!)

License Fees:

Resident Sturgeon Spearing License: $20.00*
Non-Resident Sturgeon Spearing License: $65.00*

*These are in addition to the fishing license you must purchase (Non-resident 4 day is $24.00/Resident annual is $20.00 NOT to be confused with sturgeon fishing which is different than spearing).

Drop me a line via the contact form if you’re interested and I can pass along the details!

These creatures fascinate me. Their history is rife with drama and science fiction; you can read how Wisconsin can justifiably claim them as the state’s most successful conservation effort here:

Continue reading “Deadline Oct 31, 2018 Join Me For the 2019 Sturgeon Spearing weekend”

#HuntFishTravel 182 – Fangirling over Sturgeon Spearing

I doubt you’ll find two women more excited to go sturgeon spearing. And after listening to this episode – you will be too.

#HuntFishTravel 182 – Fangirling over Sturgeon Spearing

I doubt you’ll find two women more excited to stare down a hole and cut huge ice cubes out of a frozen lake with a chainsaw than Trisha Steffen and I.

If you want the step by step in depth equipment and technique information, please listen to Episode 130.

While we do go through some of the equipment needed and some of the regulations for sturgeon spearing, Trisha and I really go into detail on the culture and the event’s atmosphere. From Bloody Mary’s delivered to your shanty to bonfires on the lake to beer tents to Labrador Retrievers swimming beneath the ice from one shanty to the other…we’ve got it all. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 182 – Fangirling over Sturgeon Spearing”

Dinosaur Hunting on Lake Winnebago

Wisconsin. A state steeped in outdoors heritage and tradition. Generations of hunters and fishermen have taken to the woods and the waters of this great state for many generations, but you would be hard pressed to find a tradition in the outdoors older than the Sturgeon spearing season on the Lake Winnebago chain.

Lake Winnebago is home to the largest self reproducing population of lake sturgeon in the world. These giants of the lake live for well over 100 years and reach sizes of over 200 pounds! Continue reading “Dinosaur Hunting on Lake Winnebago”

Join Me For A Weekend of Sturgeon Spearing in 2017

February 10-12, 2017

Photos, a video and information on the 2017 HuntFishTravel Sturgeon Spearing outing you’re invited to, as well as the highlights from 2016.

The quest is for dinosaurs older than my grandparents on Lake Winnebago….the hunt for prehistoric behemoths that prowl the waters less than fifty miles from my home.

These creatures fascinate me. Their history is rife with drama and science fiction; you can read how Wisconsin can justifiably claim them as the state’s most successful conservation effort here:

Continue reading “Join Me For A Weekend of Sturgeon Spearing in 2017”

#HuntFishTravel 148 – Sturgeon Spearing through the Ice in Wisconsin

“HuntFishTravel 148 – Sturgeon Spearing through the Ice in Wisconsin”

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In this episode Carrie is joined by Lee Schneider of Boot-Trac Adventures. They chat about sturgeon spearing scouting, cutting in, how to navigate the roads on the lake and they share their two biggest tips for first time spearers. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 148 – Sturgeon Spearing through the Ice in Wisconsin”

Sturgeon Camp 2014

Spending several days with a group of buddies, getting up at the crack of dawn and heading out into the frigid Wisconsin temps to try to kill a really big animal….could be an interchangeable description for either Deer Camp or Sturgeon Camp. Continue reading “Sturgeon Camp 2014”

Fond du Lac Area Visitor’s Bureau Welcomes the Outdoor Industry with Open Arms

“All that visit the Fond du Lac area will be warmly welcomed to a convenient Lake Winnebago destination with a versatile, affordable experience.”

C’mon in…

Serving as the base hub for the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, Fond du Lac undoubtedly offers the outdoorsman a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

Last fall the Fond du Lac Area Visitor’s Bureau rebranded itself, and has been making headlines in the outdoor industry. Due to the efforts of the handful of employees at the Visitor’s Bureau, it has become a hotspot for the outdoor communicator looking for the next great story.

Continue reading “Fond du Lac Area Visitor’s Bureau Welcomes the Outdoor Industry with Open Arms”

Sturgeon Spearing Season Kicks Off With a Celebration of This Prehistoric Fish

The Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Season kicks off tomorrow and anglers are giddy in anticipation of the ultimate cold weather hunt.

Wisconsin Sturgeon Spearing is a tradition handed down or attracting new spearers dating back eighty years.
Continue reading “Sturgeon Spearing Season Kicks Off With a Celebration of This Prehistoric Fish”

Sturgeon Spearing aka Dinosaur Wrangling in Wisconsin

For most of us, the word sturgeon conjures up images of great plated bottom feeders, ancient and slow moving they seem to be a cross between a catfish and a dinosaur. Their nickname is “living fossil” and were almost wiped out in the 19^th century, fishermen slaughtered them by the thousands, considering them a nuisance when they tore the nets with their sharp bony plates.

A sturgeon can live for more than 100 years and grown to 10 feet long, many weigh more than 100 pounds. Continue reading “Sturgeon Spearing aka Dinosaur Wrangling in Wisconsin”