Winnebago System Sturgeon Spawning Run Update

Attention Sturgeon Enthusiasts:

It’s mid-April and I’ve been starting to receive many questions about when the sturgeon will start spawning on the Wolf River and other tributaries to the Winnebago System.  Water temperature is the biggest predictor of when spawning will occur, with peak spawning usually occurring when water temperatures reach 52-58 degrees.  Current water temperatures range from 41 degrees in Shawano to 45 in New London on the Wolf River, so temps still need to warm before fish will come into the rock shorelines and start spawning.  We have some forecasted warmer weather coming and I anticipate spawning will get underway within the next 3-6 days.  I don’t anticipate spawning will occur on the Wolf River over the coming Easter weekend, but I guess anything could happen.  Water temperatures on the upper Fox River have been running a few degrees ahead of the Wolf River all spring, so i anticipate we will see fish spawning in areas from Eureka to Princeton prior to spawning commencing on the Wolf River.  I will be sure to send out periodic spawning updates as we gather more information will also send out daily updates once the spawning run has begun.  So stay tuned!

The sturgeon spawning run draws great interest from spectators around the Midwest as they come to observe these majestic fish spawning. The annual migration is also important to the Wisconsin DNR also we rely on data collected during the run to manage the sturgeon population and spear fishery on the Winnebago System. The Winnebago System is home to one of the strongest lake sturgeon populations in North America and the population flourishes largely because of an effective long-term management program and strong partnerships with stakeholders and the public.  Click on the link below to watch a video with more information about the sturgeon management program on the Winnebago System.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHq4RjaGyXs

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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

Ryan.koenigs@wisconsin.gov

dnr.wi.gov