2017 Sturgeon Spearing Regulation Pamphlet
Attention Winnebago System Fisheries Enthusiasts:
Happy New Year, hopefully 2017 will be a great year for everyone! The beginning of a new year means that the upcoming sturgeon spearing season is only a little over a month away, getting underway on Saturday, February 11. I have attached the 2017 Sturgeon Spearing Regulation Pamphlet to this message. There have been some changes to the license, tagging, and registration process for the upcoming season so please take a few minutes to review the regulation pamphlet prior to the season. In short though, below is a description of what's new with the 2017 Lake Sturgeon Spearing Season.
What’s New in 2017
Tags, Licenses and Permits
- The new Go Wild license system (GoWild.Wi.Gov) offers spearers greater flexibility to purchase and display licenses. Please note the following changes in tagging materials and procedures.
-Carcass tags will be printed on regular white paper.
-Carcass tags are now validated immediately after the kill by writing on them.
-The carcass tag no longer must be attached immediately after the kill. However, the carcass tag must be attached if the carcass is left unattended. If you leave it, tag it!
-While spearing, it is illegal to possess more than one copy of a carcass tag.
Tagging Your Sturgeon: New Rules and Materials!
What to bring: carcass tag(s); pen or pencil; plastic zip-top bag or other protective enclosure for tag; fastener such as string, wire or zip-tie.
When to validate: Validate tag immediately after kill.
How to validate: Write the date and circle time of kill (a.m. or p.m.) in space provided on the tag utilizing a pen or pencil.
When to attach tag: If you leave it, tag it! You may not leave the carcass unless the validated carcass tag is attached.
How to attach tag: Secure the tag with a fastener to the sturgeon
How to protect tag: It is the responsibility of the spearer to keep the tag protected and legible. Consider enclosing the tag in a sealed plastic bag.
Register the Sturgeon! It’s mandatory.
Feel free to contact Ryan Koenigs, phone and email below, with any questions regarding the upcoming lake sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes. Good luck to all spearers out there this season, let's work together to make this a safe and successful season!
Ryan Koenigs
Senior Fisheries Biologist / Winnebago System Sturgeon Biologist
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 6
25 E County Rd. Y, Suite 700
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: (920)303-5450
Fax: (920)424-4404