DNR Unable to Monitor Sturgeon Spawning on Wolf River

High floodwaters make it too dangerous for officials to observe annual sturgeon spawns.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of blue, green, and grey, depicting a flooded river valley with the faint outlines of sturgeon barely visible beneath the turbulent, swirling waters. The scene conveys a sense of the overwhelming power of nature and the fragility of the sturgeon's habitat.Extreme weather events threaten the delicate spawning grounds of Wisconsin's vulnerable lake sturgeon population.Green Bay Today

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reported that it is unable to monitor sturgeon spawning on the Wolf River due to high water levels from ongoing flooding in the region. According to the DNR's Lake Sturgeon Spawning page, multiple drainage areas along the Wolf River are experiencing dangerous conditions that prevent officials from safely observing the annual sturgeon spawns.

Why it matters

The Wolf River is a critical habitat for lake sturgeon, a threatened species in Wisconsin. Monitoring the annual spawning season is an important part of the DNR's conservation efforts to protect and restore sturgeon populations. The inability to observe the spawns this year due to the flooding raises concerns about how the high water levels may be impacting the fish's breeding activities.

The details

The DNR has specifically listed the Princeton Dam on the upper Fox River and the Peshtigo Dam as areas where sturgeon spawns are visible but viewing conditions are poor due to the high water flow. The agency is continuing to monitor the situation and provide updates on its Lake Sturgeon Spawning page.

  • The flooding and high water levels across northeast Wisconsin have been ongoing for several weeks.
  • Sturgeon typically spawn in the Wolf River and other regional waterways during the spring months.

The players

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting Wisconsin's natural resources, including monitoring and conserving threatened species like the lake sturgeon.

Lake Sturgeon

A threatened species of fish native to the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin's Wolf River, where they congregate to spawn each spring.

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What’s next

The DNR will continue to monitor the water levels and spawning conditions on the Wolf River and other regional waterways. Once the floodwaters recede, the agency plans to resume its annual sturgeon spawn observation and data collection efforts.

The takeaway

This year's inability to monitor the critical sturgeon spawning season on the Wolf River highlights the broader impacts that extreme weather events and flooding can have on fragile ecosystems and endangered species. The DNR's conservation work relies on consistent data collection, and disruptions like this raise concerns about the long-term health of Wisconsin's sturgeon population.