Winnebago System Sturgeon Spawning Run Update

Attention Sturgeon Enthusiasts:

The lake sturgeon spawning run on the Wolf River began today as fish were spawning at the Sturgeon Trail in New London.  We checked about 15 known spawning sites today scattered from Eureka to Princeton on the upper Fox River, New London to Embarrass on the Embarrass River, Manawa on the Little Wolf River and New London to Shawano on the Wolf River. Limited spawning activity was observed at a couple of sites on the upper Fox River but the Sturgeon Trail in New London was the only location where fish were actively spawning within the Wolf River watershed.  There were “cruising” males observed along the rocks at a number of other sites including below the Manawa Dam, Bamboo Bend (Shiocton) and at a couple of sites on private property along the Wolf River.  Our crew did tag 40 fish at the Sturgeon Trail this afternoon and I expect to tag more fish in the coming days.  The Sturgeon Trail in New London will be the best location for spectators to observe spawning activity tomorrow (Tuesday), but I also anticipate that fish will be spawning at Bamboo Bend in Shiocton within the next 24 hours.  In fact, there could possibly be spawning activity by tomorrow morning.  So don’t wait to get out and see the sturgeon spawn.  I will warn you though that the water levels are extremely high this spring, and likely will rise further with tonight’s rainfall.  The water is at bank level or above the bank at many of the spawning locations, which is much higher than I’ve personally seen over my 12 year career working with this resource.  The high water may impact how close spectators can get to the river and how visible the fish are, but it’s still worth the trip in my opinion.  I’ve included a photo (link below) of the first spawning pod of sturgeon that was observed today in New London.

Sturgeon spawning at Northport on 4-22-2019.jpg

I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the 2019 sturgeon spawning run!

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Ryan Koenigs

Senior Fisheries Biologist / Winnebago System Sturgeon Biologist

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

625 E County Rd. Y, Suite 700

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Phone: (920)303-5450

Fax: (920)424-4404

[email protected]

dnr.wi.gov