Spearers are still out on Lake Winnebago trying their luck. Hopefully, they have found pockets of clear water.

Feb. 13, 2025 Harvest Update

Even as we get closer to the weekend, harvest continues to be slow. A total of 20 lake sturgeon were harvested on the Winnebago System with 3 juvenile females, 9 adult females and 8 males. Reports indicate that water clarity on the east side of Lake Winnebago, particularly southeast locations, continues to be poor.     

The Upriver Lakes continue to steadily harvest fish, though it does look like the season will at least go into the beginning of the weekend. Today, a total of 11 lake sturgeon were harvested on the Upriver Lakes (8 males, 3 adult females and 0 juvenile females). Overall, there have been 31 juvenile females, 34 adult females and 160 males harvested from the Upriver Lakes. We continue to be closest to the male cap on the Upriver Lakes, but we are still 65 fish away from hitting the 90% trigger.

View the full details in today's harvest report.

We still have a lot of large fish coming in with 4 fish over 100 pounds speared today. The largest fish was a 148.3-pound, 79.5-inch, F2 female speared by Luke Harness from Lake Winnebago.

Please note, due to water clarity, the Pipe registration station will still be closed tomorrow. For those registering fish in that area, the Quinney registration station is the next closest station. Please make sure to adjust accordingly. Thank you, and congrats to all our spearers.

No Ice Is 100% Safe

If using UTVs on the ice, here are a few basic safety tips to remember:

• Remember UTVs are heavy. They are the heaviest recreational vehicle out on the ice, often being close to 3,000 pounds. This is similar to a car or truck.
• Have a plan in case you do go through the ice.
• Roll your window down when traveling on the ice and make sure you can easily open your door – drive slow and turn the radio down so that you can use eyes and ears to watch and hear for potential issues coming up.
• Make sure you have life jackets or some other type of floatation for every occupant of the UTV.
• Recovery for the UTV or other vehicle is the responsibility of the owner/operator. After 30 days, the owner can be fined each day after 30 days.
• Recovery rates for the machine can also be very expensive.
• This may not be the year to explore new locations – stick to known areas that typically have better ice conditions.
• Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
• Carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
• Watch for pressure ridges or ice buckling. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.

Remember – the DNR does not monitor ice conditions. Local fishing clubs, outfitters and bait shops are the best sources for local current ice conditions.  

Check out the DNR’s Ice Safety webpage for more information on staying safe on the ice, including tips for creating ice claws and what to do if you fall through ice.

Additional information on the Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season can be found on the DNR website.