Source (WLUK) —
Sturgeon might be a little leaner when they’re speared next month because food has been in shorter supply.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says last August, it checked for lake fly larvae, or redworms, on Lake Winnebago and lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts. Lake fly larvae are one of the main sources of food for sturgeon.
The DNR says its sampling showed the second-lowest catch rate of lake fly larvae since 2013. It was similar to the rate seen in 2020.
Another key food source, gizzard shad, had a weak hatch in 2021. The DNR says those fish have not had a strong hatch since 2016.
Despite the low supply of two main food sources, the DNR says it is not concerned about sturgeon health.
“The lack of gizzard shad and low relative density of (lake fly) larvae may cause concern for some spearers,” the report said. “However, fish will still be able to find forage as there are (lake fly) larvae present within the lake and fish could also seek out alternative food sources like isopods and zebra mussels. With a weak gizzard shad hatch in 2021, we will likely see generally leaner fish harvested during the 2022 spearing season.”
This year’s sturgeon spearing season begins Feb. 12. It will run a maximum of 16 days, or until harvest caps are met.
