DNR Sturgeon Spearing Report Day Six

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)- Warm weather was once again the story Thursday, but as always, the dedicated spearers of the Winnebago System found a way with a total of 30 lake sturgeon harvested.

There was only one fish harvested over 100 pounds, and that was on the east side of Lake Winnebago at Quinney. Jordan Schmitz harvested a nice 102.6-pound female that measured 68.6 inches in length. It was his first ever lake sturgeon.

The current totals for the entire Winnebago system are 193 juvenile females, 622 adult females and 620 males for a total of 1,435 lake sturgeon. The season continues to inch closer to the 90 percent trigger for the adult female harvest cap which would close the season the following day. It is currently at 85 percent.

DNR officials are expecting the harvest to pick up over the weekend with more spearers taking back to the ice. They are asking spearers to monitor the numbers and their email for any season closures.

Photo credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Jordan Schmitz came away with the largest lake sturgeon harvested today with a nice 102.6-pound, 68.6-inch lake sturgeon.