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| Spearers gear up for 2010 Sturgeon Season |
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| Written by Mark Ignatowski, Editor |
| Wednesday, 10 February 2010 16:43 |
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The 2010 sturgeon spearing season begins Saturday and experts are predicting record-setting fish this year. “The resurgence of the 150-plus pound fish in the population over the last 10 years adds a super-trophy element to the fishery that spearers haven’t seen since the 1950s,” Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Biologist Ron Burch wrote in the 2010 sturgeon regulations opening letter this year. “Because of the robustness of our sturgeon stock, we were able to raise the system-wide harvest cap on adult females for the 2010 season to 740, nearly double the caps we set in 1997.” A Quinney man who has been sturgeon fishing for 60 years predicts a good season this year on the Lake Winnebago east shore. Marvin Woelfel, 72, who has been fishing since he was 12 years old, explained that the water clarity is pretty good. "I put a white cup down and I could see it approximately 16 feet down. Some places you can see better yet," Woelfel said. "The way everyone is talking, it is going to be a good season this year. I am hoping it will last longer than three to four days," Woelfel said. Spearers can be in their shanty with a spear from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every day during the season from February 13 through February 28, or until the limits are reached. Spearers are allowed one fish per license, although individuals without a license may be in the shanty while a person is fishing. However, only the licensee can spear the fish. The person who spears the fish must also be the on who applies the license tag to the fish, just forward from the tail. Spearers can be in their shanty watching fish after 12:30 p.m. as long as no spear or parts of spears are in the shanty with them. The other main regulation is that spearers cannot used any lights underwater. Cameras are allowed, however, any lights on the camera must be blacked out. Spearers also need to remember to not have any other fishing equipment near their sturgeon holes. Tip-ups are allowed near the shanties, but they must be attended at all times. Hook and line fishing in holes larger than 12 inches in diameter is not allowed. More information about the fishing regulations can be found online at dnr.wi.gov. Remember to submit your fishing photos to the Chilton Times-Journal at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
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