Wisconsin DNR warns of changing ice conditions as sturgeon spearing starts this weekend – Outdoor News

The Wisconsin DNR announced on Friday that recent temperature swings have created rapidly changing ice conditions in many parts of the state.

DNR wardens have responded to several incidents of recreational vehicles going through the ice. The DNR has already recorded six fatal UTV incidents in 2025, with four of those involving UTVs going through the ice. There has also been one ice-related snowmobile fatality.

With sturgeon spearing kicking off this weekend and other popular fishing activities in full swing on Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers, the DNR encourages the public to review ice-safety tips before going on the water.  

Sturgeon spearing on the Lake Winnebago System opens this Saturday, Feb. 8. (Wisconsin DNR photo)
Sturgeon season information

The sturgeon spearing season will open this Saturday, Feb. 8 on the Winnebago System.

With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that runs for a maximum of 16 days (it closes Feb. 23) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met.

This year’s harvest caps are:

If any harvest cap is met early, a closure notice will be posted to the DNR’s Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage and sent to subscribers of the DNR’s Sturgeon Spearing Updates email list.

Season predictions

The sturgeon spearing harvest is usually dictated in part by water clarity and ice conditions on the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago.

This year’s assessments indicate poor water clarity, which could lead to a lengthy spearing season on Lake Winnebago. The DNR does not check water clarity on the Upriver Lakes, but due to their shallow water, clarity is usually not a major factor in predicting harvest on these waterbodies.

Spearers will be able to find the season forecast and daily harvest updates on the Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage and via email.

MORE STURGEON COVERAGE FROM OUTDOOR NEWS:

Don’t blink: Michigan’s annual sturgeon season on Black Lake ends in 17 minutes

Good news for Wisconsin sturgeon spearers: Lake Winnebago ’bloodworm’ densities highest since 2019

Wisconsin DNR publishes 2025 sturgeon spearing regulations ahead of Feb. 8 opener

Registration information

The DNR reminds spearers that once they have successfully speared a sturgeon, the tag must be validated by tearing off the bottom portion, the sturgeon must then be brought to an official registration station and the spearer needs to be in line by 2 p.m. on the day it was speared.

Any sturgeon harvested from Lake Winnebago must be registered at one of the registration stations on Lake Winnebago, and any sturgeon harvested from the Upriver Lakes (lakes Poygan, Butte des Morts or Winneconne) must be registered at one of the Upriver Lakes registration stations.

Check the 2025 sturgeon spearing regulations for specifics.

Stay safe

Spearers and spectators are reminded that no ice is 100% safe. Check with local fishing clubs and conservation groups for local ice conditions.

Get tips for staying safe on the ice from the DNR’s Ice Safety webpage.

Share your spearing experience

The DNR is looking for photos of the spearing season for communication and outreach efforts. Photos of cutting in, shanty life, spearers with their catch or any other part of the spearing tradition are encouraged.

Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2025/02/07/wisconsin-dnr-warns-of-changing-ice-conditions-as-sturgeon-spearing-starts-this-weekend/