Sturgeon Spearers Reach Harvest Caps on Upriver Lakes

Successful first weekend of 2026 sturgeon spearing season sees over 375 fish harvested across Winnebago system

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Sturgeon spearers in Wisconsin had another productive weekend on Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes, harvesting a total of 375 lake sturgeon. The catch on the Upriver Lakes reached the DNR's 90% trigger, leading to the closure of that season as of Monday afternoon. On Lake Winnebago, 300 sturgeon were harvested, bringing the total for the season so far to 779 fish, or 56% of the adult female harvest cap.

Why it matters

The sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago system is an important cultural tradition and economic driver for the region. Reaching the harvest caps helps ensure sustainable management of the sturgeon population, while also providing opportunities for recreational spearers.

The details

Spearers harvested 375 lake sturgeon across the Winnebago system over the first two days of the 2026 season. On the Upriver Lakes of Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts, the catch reached the 90% trigger, leading to the closure of that season as of Monday afternoon. On Lake Winnebago, 300 sturgeon were harvested, including 43 juvenile females, 132 adult females and 125 males. This brings the Lake Winnebago total for the season so far to 779 fish, which is 56% of the adult female harvest cap.

  • The 2026 sturgeon spearing season opened on February 14, 2026.
  • The Upriver Lakes season will close at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • Spearers with tags for Lake Winnebago may continue to harvest sturgeon until any of the sex-specific harvest caps are reached or the Winnebago System sex-specific harvest cap totals are reached.

The players

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The state agency responsible for managing the sturgeon population and regulating the spearing season on the Winnebago system.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The successful start to the 2026 sturgeon spearing season highlights the importance of this tradition to the local community and the need for careful management to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sturgeon population in the Winnebago system.