One of the most beloved fishing seasons of the year is just days away.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that the 2026 sturgeon spearing season will open on Saturday (February 14th) on the Winnebago System.
The sturgeon spearing season uniquely runs for a maximum of 16 days or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met on Lake Winnebago or the upriver lakes.
This year’s caps for Lake Winnebago will be 280 juvenile females, 659 adult females, and 981 males, while the upriver lakes will be capped at 70 juvenile females, 73 adult females, and 245 males.
In the event any one of these caps is hit prior to March 1st, 16 days after spearing season opens, the DNR will send out closure notices via email and post the update to their Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage.
Each year, annual harvest totals are heavily dictated by water quality and ice conditions, with this year’s assessment indicating superb water quality on par with other highly successful spearing seasons in the past.
As always, the DNR urges this year’s spearers to exhibit caution when venturing onto the ice and to understand that no ice is ever 100% safe.
More information on spearing season regulations and ice safety tips can also be found online at dnr.wisconsin.gov.
