Feb. 22, 2025 Harvest Update

With the sun shining and some of the warmest weather of the season, the lake sturgeon were likely moving around the system. Today, 81 lake sturgeon were harvested throughout the Winnebago system.

Spearers definitely took to Lake Winnebago. An impressive 73 lake sturgeon were speared this Saturday, with 10 juvenile females, 32 adult females and 31 males. Another 9 fish over 100 pounds were speared, the largest being the 144.1-pound, 72.8-inch, F4 female registered at the Southwest Winnebago registration station.

Once again, only the Poygan registration station had any fish registered, with 8 fish for the day (3 juvenile females, 2 adult females and 3 males).

View the full details in today’s harvest report.

Today, another impressive 10 lake sturgeon weighing over 100 pounds were harvested throughout the system. The most surprising news of the year is that more than 50% of these fish were not black egg females. When females are carrying black eggs, the eggs can comprise 20% of their body weight or more. This is compared to females not preparing to spawn, whose gonads only weigh 3% to 6% of their body weight. This system’s capacity to produce large fish is truly impressive.

Please note, due to effort the Indian Point registration will be closed tomorrow. The Poygan and Winneconne registration will be open. The Pipe and North Winnebago registration station will remain closed tomorrow. Please check the Winnebago sturgeon spearing website or the Winnebago sturgeon spearing regulations for the next closest registration station and plan accordingly.

With one more day to go for the entire Winnebago system, please be safe out there. Thank you.

James Sarnowski speared the only fish over 100 pounds today on the Upriver Lakes with this nice 129.0-pound, 73.9-inch, F4 female.

No Ice Is 100% Safe

If using UTVs on the ice, here are a few basic safety tips to remember:

• Remember UTVs are heavy. They are the heaviest recreational vehicle out on the ice, often being close to 3,000 pounds. This is similar to a car or truck.
• Have a plan in case you do go through the ice.
• Roll your window down when traveling on the ice and make sure you can easily open your door – drive slow and turn the radio down so that you can use eyes and ears to watch and hear for potential issues coming up.
• Make sure you have life jackets or some other type of floatation for every occupant of the UTV.
• Recovery for the UTV or other vehicle is the responsibility of the owner/operator. After 30 days, the owner can be fined each day after 30 days.
• Recovery rates for the machine can also be very expensive.
• This may not be the year to explore new locations – stick to known areas that typically have better ice conditions.
• Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
• Carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
• Watch for pressure ridges or ice buckling. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.

Remember – the DNR does not monitor ice conditions. Local fishing clubs, outfitters and bait shops are the best sources for local current ice conditions.  

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.