LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — After two weeks and two days, the 2022 Sturgeon Spearing Season is history, and by some accounts, the campaign is being called a success.
“It was a little slower on Lake Winnebago, but the Upriver Lakes went pretty fast,” said Tom Meronek, DNR Oshkosh Area Fisheries supervisor.
Meronek says the 2022 event could be described as a tale of two seasons. He says the Upriver Lakes of Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts are shallow and typically have clearer water. Spearers there took 349 fish, which triggered the harvest caps, and the season closed after four days. The harvest on Winnebago was slower. The big lake is only about 20 feet deep, and water clarity going into the season averaged 10.7. Experts say spearers need about 12 feet of clear water to be successful.
“Generally it must have been pretty good, because we did have a pretty good season. So folks were finding clear enough water to spear fish,” said Meronek.
One thousand one hundred sixty-nine fish were taken on Lake Winnebago, with an above average spear success rate of 9.5 percent. That ranks this year 24th out of 82 seasons. System-wide, there were 88 fish registered weighing more than 100 pounds, including the 171.1 pounder Isaac Bond speared on Lake Winnebago, and the 174.3 pound monster Jared Guelig harvested on Winnebago as well.
“Those fish are actually in the top 15 of fish speared of all time,” said Meronek.
Because of the pandemic, drive-thru registration sturgeon continued for a second year, but Meronek says it had a different look this February.
“We were allowing spearers to come inside the barrier this year. We were allowing folks to take photos, and I think it was, generally folks were happy with that. It’s nice to get a picture next to your fish,” he said.
Meronek says when it comes to how those registration stations will look next year, he says no decision has been made.
