Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing Season Ends Early

First early closure since 2015 due to high harvest numbers

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin came to a close on Monday afternoon, marking the first time the season has ended early since 2015. The Department of Natural Resources reported a successful season with over 1,200 sturgeon harvested on the lake alone, the highest number in recent years.

Why it matters

Sturgeon spearing is a unique winter tradition in Wisconsin, drawing thousands of participants each year. The early closure this year highlights the strong and healthy sturgeon population in Lake Winnebago, which is carefully managed by state wildlife officials.

The details

The season closed at 1 p.m. on Monday, several hours earlier than the typical late-February end date. Officials cited the high harvest numbers, aided by good water clarity and early ice formation, as the reasons for the early closure. One successful spearfisher, Paul Zwick, said he had been scouting the lake for weeks to find his trophy fish.

  • The sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago closed at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • This marks the first early closure of the season since 2015.

The players

Paul Zwick

A sturgeon spearfisher who caught his trophy fish on the last day of the season.

Department of Natural Resources

The state wildlife agency that manages the sturgeon population and spearing season on Lake Winnebago.

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What they’re saying

“Last year I got one opening day and I said to my wife and boy that I was going to spear one on the last day. And I got lucky and I did...I spent two and a half, three weeks scouting, looking for him and it finally paid off.”

— Paul Zwick (wtaq.com)

What’s next

The Department of Natural Resources will review the season's data and consider adjustments to future sturgeon spearing regulations to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.

The takeaway

The early closure of the Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season is a testament to the successful management of this unique winter tradition, which continues to draw thousands of participants each year to enjoy the sport and help maintain a healthy sturgeon population.