In a tough year, Kurt Knoll found success spearing a 148-pound, 77.6-inch, F4 female.

Feb. 17, 2024 Harvest Update

Today marks the halfway point of the 2024 Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing season. Harvest was up again today compared to the rest of the season, with 34 lake sturgeon harvested on Lake Winnebago (4 juvenile females, 9 adult females and 21 males). The Lake Winnebago totals are currently 30 juvenile females, 80 adult females and 115 males.

The Upriver Lakes harvested 5 juvenile females, 4 adult females and 8 males. This brings the Upriver Lake totals to 14 juvenile females, 23 adult females and 53 males.

There were even a few spearers including Lea Sevald and Eliana Hardy that speared their first ever lake sturgeon today. With most spearers walking all the gear out onto the ice, sturgeon harvested this year are well earned with stories that will be remembered for decades – particularly for those like Lea and Eliana, who have speared their first ever lake sturgeon this year.

Congrats on pushing through all the hard work and finding success ladies!

View the full Day 8 Harvest Report.

There were two fish over 100 pounds today. The one on Lake Winnebago was a 108.2-pound, 76.4-inch, F2 female speared by John Schuh. Today’s biggest fish came from Lake Poygan. Kurt Knoll speared a 77.6-inch, 148-poound, F4 female. This is currently the biggest fish for the season.

The difference between the F2 and F4 is where they are in their reproductive cycle.  F2 females are still developing eggs. They are likely about a year or two out from spawning. And F4 females has black eggs which means she was ready to spawn in a few months in the spring.

Tomorrow, the Stockbridge and Quinney registration stations will be the only stations to remain closed. All other stations will be open.

Good luck to all spearers who take to the ice tomorrow. Please remember no ice is 100% safe.

We will continue to include registration station updates in our daily emails, or you can check the DNR Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage for updates.

John Schuh and his friend celebrate his 108.2-pound, 76.4-inch, F2 female at the North Winnebago registration station.

No Ice Is 100% Safe

Here are a few basic ice safety tips to remember:

• Carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
• Wear proper clothing and equipment, including a life jacket or a float coat, to help you stay afloat and to help maintain body heat.
• Wear ice creepers attached to boots to prevent slipping on clear ice.
• Carry a spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.
• Carry a few spikes and a length of light rope in an easily accessible pocket to help pull yourself – or others – out of the ice.
• If you fall in, remain as calm as possible. While attempting to get out of the water, call for help. Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through themselves.
• Do not travel in unfamiliar areas or at night.

Have a plan in place noting where you will be and when you plan to return. Along with leaving a written note of your plans, keeping a charged cell phone is also recommended.

Check out the DNR’s Ice Safety webpage for more information on staying safe on the ice, including tips for creating ice claws and what to do if you fall through ice.

Additional information on the Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season can be found on the DNR website.