SHIOCTON, WI (Spectrum News 1)— For a couple of days to a couple of weeks every spring in Wisconsin sturgeon swim up the Wolf River and spawn.

It's a highly anticipated tradition for many Wisconsinites to go to a spot and watch the sturgeon as they swim along the banks and right under the noses of onlookers.

Also a tradition for many Wisconsinites is volunteering as a guard for those sturgeon to make sure that watchers only look, and do not get in the water and touch or take the fish.

“We have them for such a little time that it's important that people have access yet we don't want them abusing the system,” said Dale Drake a volunteer guard for more than a decade

For the most part Drake said people are respectful. They just want to get a look at what the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources calls one of the most lively freshwater sturgeon populations in the world.

“Everybody knows that these fish are important to Wisconsin,” Drake said.

Guards like Drake spend all day at a viewing location, only paid with meals. They don't just police the area, but they also answer questions and educate people on sturgeon

It's a big job, the Mark Schraufnagel, a conservation warden with the DNR, said there are 50 spawning locations in the Winnebago System.

The DNR started using a guard system in the 1970's, though at first it was DNR wardens from around the state on 24/7 patrol. They opened it up to the public for volunteers in the late 80's.

“Having the guards out there to help with educating and also to keep an eye out for us is a great resource it helps us greatly,” Schraufnagel said.

The guards used to have shifts over-night, but the need for that went away over the years. Now they take day shifts staying on site for most of the day.

They're an integral part of the sturgeon spawning season.

“They educate the public and they also help protect the resource, if they see something of concern they can pick up the phone and call us,” Shraufnagel said.

If you're interested in becoming a sturgeon guard next season you can go to the Wisconsin DNR website and search sturgeon guard.