The DNR has released a study which showed that water clarity is directly linked to how many Sturgeon are harvested on Lake Winnebago.
A graph showing collection data and water clarity dating back to 2002 (which can be seen below) shows that direct correlation.
For example, in 2004, anglers could see about 15 feet down, and over 1,800 sturgeon were caught.
Compare that to just two years later when fishermen could only see 6 feet down and caught only 200 sturgeon, the lowest harvest numbers in the last 20 years. But what causes clear water?
The DNR says that “Shifting ice, snow-covered ice, how early the lake freezes over, and thawing and refreezing events will likely determine whether spearers hang their decoy 2 feet or 12 feet below the surface. Generally, water clarity conditions tend to be favorable in years of early ice, weak winds and enough snow cover to limit light penetration and phytoplankton growth.”
This year’s average depth based on data collected from 14 locations on the lake sits at 10.7 feet, which is under the 12-foot threshold which is seen as the minimum to have a great harvest.
This means that during the sturgeon season, which opens on February 12th and ends on February 27th, we may see a lower number of sturgeon harvested than average.
To learn more about sturgeon spearing, visit the DNR website.
