Lake Winnebago, WI – The 2026 sturgeon spearing season officially kicked off Saturday morning across the Winnebago System, launching a 16-day harvest window that could close sooner if harvest caps are reached.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the season opened at 7 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026, and will run up to 16 days unless any sex-specific harvest cap is met before the deadline. The Winnebago System includes Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes: Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan.
Officials say daily harvest numbers, registration station information and full regulations are available on the DNR’s sturgeon spearing webpage. Spearers are required to print their tags and keep them on their person while on the ice.
Once a sturgeon is successfully harvested, the tag must be validated immediately by tearing off the bottom portion. The fish must then be transported to an official registration station by 2 p.m. the same day it is harvested. The DNR notes that harvested sturgeon must remain visible to others during transport.
Lake sturgeon spearing on the Winnebago System is one of Wisconsin’s longest-running winter traditions and draws participants from across the state, including the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and surrounding counties.
Season length is determined by harvest totals and biological data collected during registration, including fish length, weight and sex.
