WINNECONNE, Wis. — Sturgeon spearing season started Saturday morning, and the conditions were less than ideal.
The warm weather and winds caused the ice to be fragile compared to previous years. Some fishermen decided to stay home, while others took the risk.
Oshkosh resident Jason Reinke was one of the few to spear a prehistoric fish on opening day. The fish weighed 104.36 lbs. This was the second sturgeon Reinke has ever caught, which made him emotional.
“I can’t be more grateful. I mean, it’s the biggest fish I ever speared, and it means a lot to me,” said Reinke. “My dad taught me into this. I wish he was here to see it. It’s huge.”
Margaret Stadig, a Lake Winnebago System fisheries biologist, said this is the warmest sturgeon season since 2017. There were only five fish caught before noon, which is below the average for opening day.
“I’m hoping that after this weekend we’re going to get some cold weather and maybe ice will firm up,” said Stadig. “Maybe the following weekend or maybe that last weekend, we’ll see a lot more people out.”
Chris Shae, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lieutenant, said he and his team have had to make a few rescues. He has seen multiple recreation vehicles on the ice, but no typical automobiles.
“If people are going to go on the ice, we encourage them to let somebody else know where they’re going and to carry some basic safety gear with them,” said Shae. “Things like ice picks — especially this year with the very slick ice conditions we have out there.”
DNR leaders said the season is likely to go all 16 days. The last day is Feb. 25.