Join DNR experts for online chat about upcoming Lake Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season
MADISON - With the 2015 sturgeon spearing season some two weeks away,
Department of Natural Resources fisheries experts will be available to
answer your questions during a live online chat on Tuesday, Feb. 3 starting
at noon.
Sturgeon spearing opens on February 14 at 7 a.m. and DNR fisheries
biologists expect another season with above average water clarity and a
continued trend toward larger and more plentiful fish.
"In terms of our population, things have never been better in the last 60
years," said Ryan Koenigs, DNR senior fisheries biologist. "We have more
fish than we've had during that time and we have more big fish. Thanks to
our expansive fishery survey work, we keep a very good handle on the
population."
Koenigs credited careful management for this year's increase in harvest
caps. The adult female harvest cap was raised to 878 this year, up 6 percent
from 828 a year ago. To reach legal harvest size of 36 inches, the fish that
are taken will be at least 10 years old, while fish at the 100 pound mark
are at least 45-plus years of age.
The online sturgeon spearing season chat will cover everything from tips on
spearing techniques to the latest water clarity conditions. To join the
chat, which runs until 1 p.m. Tuesday, visit dnr.wi.gov<http://dnr.wi.gov/>
and look for the box on the right to enter the chat, or search the phrase
"ask the experts<http://dnr.wi.gov/chat/expert.html>." Or, enter via DNR's
Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/WIDNR> by clicking the "Cover it Live
Chat" box at the top. The online chats are archived and available for
viewing after they are held.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Koenigs, DNR senior fisheries biologist,
920-303-5450, Ryan.Koenigs@wisconsin.gov<mailto:Ryan.Koenigs@wisconsin.gov>;
Jennifer Sereno, communications, 608-770-8084,
Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov<mailto:Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov>