Huge Sturgeon Caught, Check Out The Size of This Thing!

A huge sturgeon caught at Lake Winnebago weighting a whooping 177 pounds, 79.9 inches (that’s 6-foot-8 for you) is the seventh-largest fish ever speared in Lake Winnebago, caught by James Gishkowsky on Tuesday March 14, 2023.

The monstrous fish was an F4, which means it was a female full of eggs and would have spawned this year. Those eggs probably weigh in at about 20 to 30 pounds total.

Prior to catching this sturgeon, Gishkowsky had only seen three sturgeons. His previous biggest sturgeon weighed 96 pounds.

The fish had to be hoisted out of the hole with the help of reinforcements, according to Gishkowsky.

“It’s a rush when you get something like this. It’s a once in a lifetime,” he said.

Even though lakes Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts are just three fish away from trigger harvest caps, spearing of sturgeon will continue on Lake Winnebago and Upriver Lakes Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Sturgeon spearing on Tuesday March 14,2023 was the slowest yet this season, with only 72 fish harvested from Lake Winnebago.

The Upriver Lakes only had 14 fish speared three adult females and 11 males. Three more adult females speared Wednesday March 15,2023 would trigger the 90% cap, making Thursday March16, 2023 the last day of spearing. A total of 58 fish were speared Tuesday at Lake Winnebago five juvenile females, 27 adult females and 26 males.

Those looking to spearfish for lake sturgeon have two options on the Winnebago System. A spearing license is required for both. On Lake Winnebago, licenses can be purchased without restriction up until Oct. 31, but each individual is only allowed one per season. The Upriver Lakes fishery has a 500-person limit and requires a permit or preference point application before August 1, priority is given to those with the most preference points. Licenses are $20 for Wisconsin residents and $65 for nonresidents, available via GoWild or at any license sales location. Youth turning 12 between November 1 and the end of spearing season, as well as military personnel home on leave, may purchase a license after the October 31 deadline.

Sources: Fox11, Dnr