Warm Weather and Rain Dampen Sturgeon Spearing Season

Wisconsin DNR reports lowest single-day harvest total so far in 2026

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reported the lowest single-day harvest total of the 2026 sturgeon spearing season so far, with just 34 sturgeon caught on Wednesday. Officials attribute the low numbers to seasonably warm weather and surprising rainfall in the region.

Why it matters

The sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago system is an important cultural and recreational tradition in Wisconsin. The low harvest numbers indicate challenging conditions for spearers and could impact the overall season totals.

The details

Of the 34 sturgeon harvested, 17 were males, with the remaining 14 being adult females and 3 juvenile females. The Downtown Oshkosh station registered the most with 9 sturgeon caught. To date, 83% of the adult female harvest cap has been reached, with over 1,400 sturgeon harvested in total so far this season.

  • The low harvest total was reported on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Officials say the weather on Thursday, February 19, 2026 appears to be warm again.

The players

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting Wisconsin's natural resources, including the sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago system.

David Conradt

A spearer who harvested the largest sturgeon of the day, a 106.2-pound, 73.6-inch female, registered at the Neenah station.

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The takeaway

The warm weather and rain have created challenging conditions for sturgeon spearers, leading to the lowest single-day harvest total so far this season. This highlights the importance of environmental factors in this traditional Wisconsin activity and the need to closely monitor the overall season totals.