A sturgeon (file photo)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Sturgeon spearing was slow Wednesday, much in part due to a winter weather advisory in place around the Winnebago system.
Despite the day’s steady and accumulating snowfall, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says 42 sturgeon were speared on the system, in total.
On Lake Winnebago, spearers harvested three juvenile females, seven adult females and eight males. Officials anticipate the lake will likely go for the entirety of sturgeon spearing season.
More spearers were successful Wednesday on upriver lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts. 24 sturgeon were taken — six juvenile females, three adult females and 15 males.
Two more fish over 100 pounds were harvested on the upriver lakes.
Matthew Proctor speared a 116.1-pound, 77.1-inch, F4 female, and Kurt Davidson speared a 110.3-pound, 72.6-inch male.
While it is true that female lake sturgeon grow larger than the males, males can still grow to a large size. Even at the size of Matthew and Kurt’s fish, it is nearly impossible to tell a female sturgeon apart from a male sturgeon. It is only during the spawning season that you can tell the difference externally when males and females are expressing their gametes (either releasing eggs or milt).
Because of poor water clarity, the registration station at Pipe will remain closed. The Quinney station is the next closest.
Spearing continues until Feb. 23 unless harvest caps are met sooner.
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