LAKE STURGEON SPAWNING

SPAWNING SEASON 2023

May 19, 2023 – Sturgeon spawning has finally concluded on the Peshtigo River, marking an end to the 2023 sturgeon spawning season.

Waters were high throughout the Winnebago System this year. Colder water temperatures led to a prolonged spawn on the Wolf River and a longer pre-spawn staging time for fish on the Peshtigo River. Once waters warmed up, the spawn on the Lower Fox River was very short, lasting only a couple of days.

Check back for a final update for the end of the season.

 

Earlier Spawning Reports

May 15, 2023 – While spawning has ended on the Lower Fox and Wolf rivers, big sturgeon can still be seen spawning in the Peshtigo River below the Peshtigo Dam. It’s unknown how long these sturgeon will continue spawning, so check back frequently for updates.

May 12, 2023 – Spawning activity has wrapped up on the Wolf and Lower Fox rivers and is winding down on the Peshtigo River. Sturgeon are still present at the Peshtigo Dam, though in smaller numbers. It’s unknown when this spawning activity will stop, so head out to see them while you can. Check back for updates.

May 11, 2023 – Spawning season is winding down on the Wolf, Peshtigo and Lower Fox rivers. Only a few sturgeon have been spotted spawning today. It’s likely spawning won’t last long, so get out to see them while you can.

May 10, 2023 – Sturgeon are still spawning on the Lower Fox River, though in smaller numbers than yesterday. There is still spawning activity on the Wolf and Peshtigo rivers as well.

May 9, 2023 – Sturgeon are still spawning! They can be seen spawning on the Peshtigo River below the Peshtigo Dam and on the Lower Fox River below the De Pere Dam. Spawning is intermittent on the Wolf River, and some fish can be seen along the shores at New London, Shiocton and at the Shawano Dam. This spawning activity won’t last long, so get out and see them while you can.

May 8, 2023 – Sturgeon have gathered below the De Pere Dam on the Lower Fox River and have begun spawning. Sturgeon are still spawning on the Peshtigo River and can be seen from the Peshtigo River Viewing Platform. Sturgeon are also visible along the shorelines at New London, Bamboo Bend and at the Shawano Dam, and they may be spawning intermittently at those locations. It’s likely that there won’t be another big spawning event, so go see them while you can.

May 7, 2023 – Sturgeon are still spawning on the Peshtigo River and can be seen from the viewing platform. Sturgeon can also be seen actively spawning at the Shawano Dam today. This spawning activity likely won’t last long, so head out while you can. Sturgeon can also be seen jumping at Bamboo Bend and are visible below the De Pere Dam.

May 5, 2023  – While spawning hasn’t started yet, many sturgeon can be seen below the Peshtigo Dam from the viewing platform. On the Wolf River, sturgeon have been spotted porpoising at Bamboo Bend and spawning at the Shawano Dam. However, they are spawning on the non-public side of the river, which may make it difficult to spot from the opposite shoreline. The DNR expects sturgeon will begin showing up at the De Pere Dam any day now. As water temperatures rise, sturgeon may begin spawning at multiple locations throughout the weekend. Due to the late nature of the spawn, it likely won’t last long. Make sure to get out while you can, and check back for updates.

May 3, 2023 – Warmer water temperatures over the next few days will likely trigger spawning throughout the Winnebago System. On the Lower Fox River, no sturgeon have been reported below the De Pere Dam yet, but DNR staff expect sturgeon will begin showing up soon. On the Peshtigo River, an estimated 75-100 sturgeon have been seen below the Peshtigo Dam, though they are not yet actively spawning. On the Wolf River, more lake sturgeon are showing up at New London again. While these fish are not actively spawning, they can be seen on the Sturgeon Trail and will likely start to spawn soon. Currently, no fish were seen at Bamboo Bend in Shiocton or at the dam in Shawano, but more fish might be seen there later in the week as water temperatures increase.

April 28, 2023 – No sturgeon have been reported below the De Pere Dam, but there is some pre-spawning activity occurring at the Shawano and Peshtigo dams. DNR staff believe the historical trend of sturgeon spawning on the Peshtigo River the first week in May will hold true again this year. However, we likely won’t see sturgeon start spawning this weekend on the Wolf, Peshtigo or Lower Fox rivers due to the projected cold weather. We will post another update once spawning activity starts, so check back for updates.

April 27, 2023 – No sturgeon have been reported below the De Pere Dam yet. A few sturgeon are still cruising at the Shawano Dam, and roughly 20 sturgeon have been seen staging below the Peshtigo Dam.

April 26, 2023 – A few sturgeon have been spotted cruising again at the Shawano Dam, and about 20 sturgeon can be seen at the Peshtigo Dam from the viewing platform. There are also a few sturgeon below the Stiles Dam on the Oconto River. While there are still no sturgeon visible below the De Pere Dam, water temperatures have started to rise, and the warmer weather over the next couple of days may get some sturgeon to move up to the dam.

April 25, 2023 – Sturgeon are still in a holding pattern on the Wolf River, but DNR staff are hopeful spawning will begin again soon. Sturgeon on the Lower Fox River aren’t quite ready to start spawning with the lower water temperatures. However, about a dozen sturgeon were spotted staging below the Peshtigo Dam today and can be seen from the viewing platform. Bring polarized sunglasses for the best viewing. A few sturgeon were also seen below the Stiles Dam on the Oconto River.

April 24, 2023 – Spawning activity has not resumed on the Wolf River, nor has it started on the Oconto, Peshtigo or Lower Fox rivers. Check back for updates.

April 23, 2023 – Spawning has halted again on the Wolf River due to the weather. A few sturgeon were seen porpoising below the Stiles Dam on the Oconto River today, but no sturgeon have been seen below the Peshtigo Dam on the Peshtigo River. Some sturgeon have been spotted downstream of the De Pere Dam, indicating spawning may start soon on the Lower Fox River. We’ll update this webpage with any information, so check back frequently.

April 22, 2023 – The erratic weather this spring has made spawning activity inconsistent on the Wolf River. While some sturgeon can still be seen at the Shawano Dam, the high water and excess foam make it difficult to see them, and sidewalks are still barricaded off due to the high water levels. Although no spawning activity has started on the Peshtigo River, a lone sturgeon was seen at the De Pere Dam, indicating that we are getting closer to seeing sturgeon spawning on the Lower Fox River.

April 21, 2023 – Spawning activity has not started yet on the Peshtigo or Lower Fox rivers. Sturgeon are spawning at the Shawano Dam, though they may be difficult to see with the high water. Check back frequently for updates.

April 20, 2023 – Spawning activity is occurring at the Shawano Dam; however, the walkway is inaccessible due to high water levels. No sturgeon have been reported spawning at the De Pere Dam or on the Peshtigo River. Check back frequently for updates.

April 19, 2023 – Colder temperatures are still impacting the sturgeon spawn on the Wolf, Lower Fox and Peshtigo rivers. No sturgeon have been seen spawning at any of these locations, but that could change later this week. Check back frequently for updates.

April 18, 2023 – Cold water temperatures have continued to pause spawning on the Wolf River. No sturgeon have been seen at the De Pere Dam or on the Peshtigo River yet. Spawning may resume later in the week at some locations, so check back frequently for updates.

April 17, 2023 – Water temperatures have dropped due to the cold weather, pausing spawning on the Wolf River. No sturgeon have been seen at the De Pere Dam or on the Peshtigo River yet. Spawning may resume later in the week at some locations, so check back frequently for updates.

April 16, 2023 – Due to the cold weather, spawning has cooled. Sturgeon can still be seen on the Wolf River at Bamboo Bend and New London but not at the Shawano Dam or on the Peshtigo River. A few sturgeon have been spotted jumping in the Lower Fox River a couple of hundred yards below the De Pere Dam at Voyageur Park. It may be difficult to spot them in shallow water, though. Check back frequently for updates.

April 15, 2023 – Sturgeon are still actively spawning on the Wolf River at Bamboo Bend, New London and Princeton but hasn’t started spawning at the Shawano Dam or on the Peshtigo River. A few sturgeon have been spotted splashing a couple of hundred yards below the De Pere Dam on the Lower Fox River. The severe temperature drop and rain may affect these sturgeon, so check back frequently for updates.

April 14, 2023 – While no activity has been reported at the De Pere or Shawano dams yet, fish are cruising on the Wolf and Upper Fox rivers. Sturgeon have been seen actively spawning at Bamboo Bend, New London and Princeton. Sturgeon has not begun spawning on the Peshtigo River yet. Check back frequently for updates.

April 12, 2023 – Lake sturgeon have not started spawning on the Wolf, Peshtigo or Lower Fox rivers. Please check back frequently for updates.

April 11, 2023 – The 2023 lake sturgeon spawning season is approaching. Winnebago System fish are getting ready to make their run up the Wolf River to the Shawano Dam. Sturgeon have been seen at Boom Cut waiting to make their way up the Wolf River.

Lake sturgeon spawn at about 53 degrees Fahrenheit. If high water levels are a factor this spring, spawning will likely be delayed. As of today, the water temperature is 51.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

STURGEON SPAWNING

From mid-April to early May, Lake Sturgeon travel upstream to their spawning grounds, giving the public a prime opportunity to see these ancient ones up close.

Sturgeon spawning is dependent on water temperature and flow. During seasons when water flow is high and water temperatures rise slowly, spawning begins when the water temperature reaches 53 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, during seasons of low water flow and more rapid water temperature rise, spawning does not begin until water temperatures reach 58-59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wolf River cam – underwater [exit DNR]

LAKE STURGEON SPAWNING AND VIEWING LOCATIONS ON THE WOLF RIVER

Maps open to larger images. Sites are listed from North to South.

Shawano Dam in Shawano – Parking is available on the east side of the river at the end of Richmond Street.

Bamboo Bend at Shiocton – on County Highway 54. Parking is available on the north side of County Hwy. 54.

Wolf River Sturgeon Trail (near New London) – about 2 miles west of New London on County Highway X. Parking is available on the south side of the river about 1/2 mile from the spawning site

LAKE STURGEON SPAWNING AND VIEWING LOCATION ON THE LOWER FOX RIVER IN DEPERE

Spectators can view spawning sturgeon from the walkway immediately downstream of the DePere Dam at Voyagers Park. The DePere Riverwalk and Wildlife Viewing Pier extends out into the river that provides a better view of the spawning fish. The City of DePere website includes details and directions: The Riverwalk Experience, DePere WI (exit DNR).

LAKE STURGEON SPAWNING AND VIEWING LOCATION ON THE LOWER PESHTIGO RIVER IN PESHTIGO

Spectators can view the spawning sturgeon immediately downstream of the Peshtigo Dam in Peshtigo. The Peshtigo River also has large runs of walleye and suckers that can also be seen from the fish viewing platform that extends out over the river. and Wildlife Viewing Pier extends out into the river that provides a better view of the spawning fish. Directions to the Peshtigo Fish Viewing Platform and parking information (exit DNR).