Is Sturgeon Spearing Season at Risk?
East Central Wisconsin has experienced a lackluster winter to date, and many outdoorsmen have needed to adapt their traditions related to outdoor sports. Whispers have started to occur in the local watering holes…..Is one of the greatest yearly events in the area at risk of cancellation – The sturgeon spearing season??
The annual sturgeon spearing season is scheduled to begin on Saturday Feb. 11th. The warm weather and early season winds have not allowed the ice to develop properly in 2012. Currently, the main lake has about 10-12” of very inconsistent ice established, where by contrast last year’s depths exceeded 28” over Lake Winnebago. In many areas of the lake, ice shoves (a result of the heavy winds) and super sized cracks will make travel difficult, even if the ice depths become established. The past week has done a lot to ensure better ice, but the projections for warmer weather over the next 10 days could result in deteriorating conditions.
Everyone seems to have a different definition of safe ice and risk tolerance. Typically, 12-18 inches of consistent ice is required to get a small vehicle onto the ice. ATV and snowmobile traffic should have no problem getting around, given the current ice situation.
The risk which most sturgeon spearers will face is travel from shore to their fishing shanties/locations, usually several miles from the lake access point. Will the ice solidify prior to the start date to allow pickup trucks/SUV travel on the lake? That is the million dollar question.
As far as a total cancellation of the season by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – that is highly doubtful. They already have your money from the license sales, and it is highly improbably that they would refund those dollars based on the current budget situation. Participation, at your own risk, just might be their motto.
This year’s season will provide many challenges, but I fully expect the season to occur and ultimately become successful. Conservatism and safety will need to be applied, should the conditions not improve over the next three weeks. The risk of cancellation looks to be near zero unless a severe warm front occurs.
