The 2017 sturgeon spearing season is "off to a good start" according to the DNR, with several fish larger than 100 pounds harvested in Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes on Saturday.
Of the 198 fish harvested from Lake Winnebago Saturday, 15 were 100 pounds or larger, and three of those were larger than 140 pounds. The second biggest fish of the day was speared by Mason Krueger from Fargo, North Dakota, who told NBC26 it happened right around 7:15 a.m.
"Looking down the hole, the pipes blacked out, threw the spear, and I got lucky I guess," said Krueger.
He got lucky with an 145.6 pound, 73.2 inch sturgeon registered at Jerry's Bar.
"This is the biggest one I've ever speared by far, I'll probably never top this," he said.
The largest fish of the day was speared by Sandra Schumacher. Hers weighed in at 154.7 pounds and was 78.5 inches long. It's the largest fish harvested since the 2014 season, according to the DNR.
The DNR reported earlier this week that the best water clarity was along the east and north shores of Lake Winnebago, and that showed in harvest numbers by registration station, the DNR said. Stockbridge Harbor had 59 fish registered on opening day.
Saturday's opening day harvest of 198 fish on Lake Winnebago ranks 11th of 16 seasons since shortened spearing hours were implemented in 2002, according to the DNR.
In total, 107 adult females, 13 juvenile females, and 78 males were harvested on Lake Winnebago Saturday.
The DNR is currently at 12.5% of the adult female harvest cap on Lake Winnebago, and they are expecting the season to go the full 16 days.
The harvest of 123 fish from the Upriver Lakes ranks 10th of the 11 seasons since the lottery fishery was implemented in 2007, the DNR said.
In total, 30 adult females, 16 juvenile females, and 77 males were harvested on the Upriver Lakes.
They are currently at 31.6% of the adult female harvest cap and 32.8% of the male cap, and are expecting this season to go into mid-week, but likely longer, they said.
