WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Wis. — Generations of anglers have enjoyed the sturgeon population on Lake Winnebago and nearby waters. As the 2024 season rolls along, many are worried that this could be the last season to spear lake sturgeon.
In 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a petition that could potentially end the tradition.
“Within 90 days of getting a petition, we have to make an initial determination on whatever they petitioned us for may, may is a key word, be warranted,” said Lori Nordstrom, Midwest Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services assistant regional director for ecological services.
The petition was submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity.
The document reads in part, “The Center is petitioning for threatened status for all lake sturgeon in the United States, or alternatively for identification and listing of imperiled distinct population segments of lake sturgeon in the U.S. as endangered or threatened.”
“We did find that they provided substantial information that listing may be warranted. That kicked us into doing this species status assessment,” said Nordstrom.
Many Wisconsin sturgeon anglers now have June 30 circled on their calendars. That’s when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will announce their peer-reviewed findings.
“We’re supposed to decide whether it warranted listing, that we should propose to list it, or it was not warranted,” said Nordstrom. “Are there any populations we can segment out that would warrant some different status?"
Lake Winnebago sturgeon biologist Margaret Stadig worked closely with the organization in the past and provided them with data that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources picked up throughout the state.
“Anything we thought they’d need to make the right decision,” said Stadig. “We’ve been working with them on their technical draft to make sure they incorporated all of that information correctly and highlighted Wisconsin in the best way they possibly could. While it isn’t our process, we have been as actively involved as we possibly can in this process to preserve the spearing season for generations.”
The petition stated population concerns in many areas of the country.
According to the DNR, the system used for sturgeon spearing is in great shape.
“This is the gold standard when it comes to sturgeon populations and sturgeon management,” said Stadig. “We’re constantly called by other state agencies about how we’re doing it to try and mirror what we’ve got going on here.”
Don Mielke serves on the Sturgeon Advisory Committee and resurrected the all-volunteer Sturgeon Guard last year, which protects the ancient fish from poaching during their vulnerable spawning period.
“I just hope that all this work and the situation of the Guard and the hours and hours and hours of non-paid volunteerism is an eye opener for these people in regards to how serious we are to keep this sport going,” said Mielke.
Once the Fish and Wildlife Service makes its determination, things aren’t necessarily finished. If it finds the listing of sturgeon as warranted, it opens a year-long public comment period.
“I’m anxiously awaiting the testimonial period so myself and other people can put our two cents worth in,” said Mielke. “We have micromanaged the situation in regards to only taking less than 5% of the population in any given year.”
If the organization finds the listing of lake sturgeon is not warranted, things seemingly end.
“Unless somebody sues us,” said Nordstrom.
This happened recently with the listing of wolves under the Endangered Species Act.
In January, Rep. Mike Gallagher and Rep. Glenn Grothman introduced legislation, the SPEAR Act, which stands for Sturgeon Protected and Exempt from Absurd Regulations Act.
“I certainly hope this is very influential with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Mielke. “It’s a very healthy system. The state of Wisconsin has a heck of an asset with the lake sturgeon.”
Spearers who have made it a sport out of waiting patiently for days upon days will now need to wait to hear about a process that could determine the future of their sport.