OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) — Spearers are gearing up to hit the ice of Lake Winnebago this weekend. It could be a little more difficult, however, to spear the big one this year.
Aaron O’Connell with the Department of Natural Resources says it’s not because of a lack of fish: it’s a lack of water clarity.
“With the 10.7 foot Lake Winnebago [visibility] average this season, we’re expecting a potentially longer season and a lower harvest on Lake Winnebago,” said O’Connell.
The fish are expected to be lean, having dined on zebra mussels and small isopods as opposed to the much fattier gizzard shad.
“It should be similar to what we saw in 2021,” O’Connell explained.
More licenses have been sold this year than last. Total license sales have been reported at 12,693.
The season starts this Saturday. The DNR will again be using drive-thru registration stations this year, a consequence of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
WTAQ joined spearers on Lake Butte des Morts in 2020.
