WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Some in the sturgeon community are concerned about its future, as the DNR’s top biologist faces criminal charges.
Ryan Koenigs is one of four people charged in a caviar processing investigation.
“I know every fishing club president and everybody around the lake,” said Otter Street Fishing Club vice president Don Herman. “It’s giving everyone a bad taste.”
If you take a look around Lake Winnebago during sturgeon spearing season, you’d think it’s more of a family than a group of spearers. And it’s a family Koenigs has been very much a part of for decades, according to Sturgeon for Tomorrow, a non-profit organization dedicated to the future of sturgeon.
“He’s known worldwide, as his predecessors were, and he has the expertise in sturgeon that no one else has,” president of the southwest chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow James Patt said.
But, regardless of how many in the community feel about the sturgeon chief Herman tells FOX 11….
“Anybody who has anything to do with sturgeon is backing Ryan up 100%.”
According to court documents, Koenigs broke the law. He’s accused of accepting about $20,000 worth of caviar, by way of bartering, which is illegal.
“I don’t know if anybody has profited, but he hasn’t,” said Herman.
The criminal complaint also says Koenigs supplied a caviar processor eggs that were meant to be used for research.
Patt tells FOX 11 Sturgeon for Tomorrow has always had a good relationship with the DNR but, depending on what happens with Koenigs’ case, it could cause a rift between the two groups that will be felt for years to come.
“This could set back the relationship between Sturgeon for Tomorrow and the public, and law enforcement and the DNR for possibly up to 30 years.”
FOX 11 reached out to the Wisconsin DNR for comment about the future of Koenigs’ position with the department and whether anyone else would be capable of taking on the job. None of our requests were answered.
But, after several attempts, Thursday FOX 11 did hear back from Ryan Koenigs’ attorney Scott Ceman with comment about the charges.
“We’ll be entering not guilty pleas at his initial appearances. Ryan’s eager to get his side out.”
The DNR has placed Koenigs on administrative leave.
He’s due in Winnebago County court on March 9th and in Calumet County court April 19th.
