Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned
Rick Larson
Posted 2/16/2004 9:49 AM (#13362)
Subject: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned


Clear water and more participants have the DNR worried.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/sports/archive/sports_14732690....





Edited by Rick Larson 2/16/2004 9:50 AM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Shep
Posted 2/16/2004 11:18 AM (#13370 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned



Member

Posts: 3899

See my post on the Record Fish, Rick.

http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/board/thread-view.asp?threadid=226...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Rick Larson
Posted 2/16/2004 11:54 AM (#13372 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned



Yep, think you have an interesting thought there.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
jerry
Posted 2/16/2004 1:40 PM (#13379 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned


Member

Posts: 2567

Location: Manitowoc, WI
I think you can chalk the recent success in sturgeon fishing to the zebra mussel. The water clarity, which used to be a major issue, is not longer the issue it was. Being able to see 12-15' or more is going to make long sturgeon spearing season's a thing of the past. The only thing that will delay/prolong these seasons will be poor ice conditions. I think it's time for the DNR to put the brakes on the number of sturgeon they allowed to be speared.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
JimRK
Posted 2/16/2004 3:44 PM (#13386 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned


Member

Posts: 183

Location: Menasha, Wis.
Did anybody see how many sturgeon licenses were purchased this year?
I purchased a license, but never got to sit in the shack because of the short season.
Congrats to everyone that got their fish.
Hopefully - Sturgeon for Tomorrow and the DNR will come up with some more ideas to reduce the chance of overharvest and extend the season.
Happy fisghing to all
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Hafe
Posted 2/16/2004 7:13 PM (#13413 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned



Member

Posts: 378

Location: Omro,Wi.
I will have to say,that there is,(and should be )concern,about the future of the sturgeon. I started spearing forty years ago,with my dad,and his brother,along with two others. Back then there was only a couple hundred spearers,and we always got a fish.Times have changed,the big harvest this weekend,has got lot's of people worried,about,the DNR creating Refuges,A lottery system,Open every other year,or a season,like turkey hunting with certain date to apply for,to more manage the numbers.What many people don't realize,about this year is,that for the past four years,few people got to get on the lake due to the bad ice conditions.More people out there this year,is the reason for the big kill.The water clarity,was not good all over,the lake either,I looked at four of my favorite spots,before I found good water.The shad die off was not like it should have been either,I spent a lot of time drilling holes,and using my camera,looking for them.The DNR has got a good fix,on the population,and I will trust them(this time) to due the right thing.To me the future of spearing,is worth whatever it takes,just as long as I still can do it.


Zoom - | Zoom 100% | Zoom + | Expand / Contract | Open New window
Click to expand / contract the width of this image
(188 Pounder.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 188 Pounder.jpg (41KB - 251 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Brad B
Posted 2/16/2004 7:37 PM (#13417 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned


Member

Posts: 617

Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
I would like to see either harvest units developed or give the DNR the ability to close the season at the end of the same day the harvest cap is reached. IMHO, either would be sufficient control at this time to both keep the kill down to a safe level and ensure that everyone that want to spear still can.

Sure hope we get a chance to weigh in on this issue (like on the spring hearings) instead of simply getting something handed to us.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Rick Larson
Posted 2/16/2004 9:22 PM (#13421 - in reply to #13413)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned



Wow, what a pair of lips on that beauty! Glad Shep wasn't around!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Dale
Posted 2/17/2004 6:55 AM (#13438 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned


Member

Posts: 874

Location: Neenah, WI
Just some random thoughts on sturgeon spearing.
2 days and it's over. I'll never begrudge a spearer getting a fish. They're tasty and it's a great thrill when you get one. It seems to me that the focus of spearing has changed. The only measure of success is if you got one or not. With more mobility and free afternoons we can move our shacks to where the fish are. IMHO it's turned into a meat hunt and it just isn't the same. Yup, the clear water has really played a big part in it. There's no doubt the DNR will have to figure something out to curtail the harvest. Next year the upriver lakes will be open and once again we'll only have a 2 day season. I miss the years past when it seemed like more fun and more relaxing. The camaraderie seems to be slipping away, bowing to the pressure of getting a fish right now.

One thing I want to mention is the size of some of the fish. Some were taken that had large heads but small bodies. The weight wasn't in proportion to the length. The red worms have all but disappeared completely and there hasn't been a significant lake fly hatch in a long time. While some of my neighbors here on the lake are happy about the small hatches, it worries me that the lake is changing drastically. It's a pretty complicated situation and I sure don't have the answers.

I hope the DNR can come up with a plan to satisfy the majority. We need to preserve our spearing tradition.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Hafe
Posted 2/17/2004 6:46 PM (#13502 - in reply to #13362)
Subject: RE: Sturgeon Spearing Harvest Questioned



Member

Posts: 378

Location: Omro,Wi.
It has turned into a meat-hunt,without a doubt.But then what can you expect,when you only have two days,and six hours per day.Sounds like a walleye tournament don't it? The good old days of frying eggs and bacon,in the shack for breakfast,and a big juicy steak,on the grill for lunch,are sadly over with.We used to pick a spot and stay there,so everyone could come look in the hole.Now no fish by 8:30,guys pick up and go where the phone call came from....hafe
Top of the page Bottom of the page