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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Spearers take 1,512 sturgeon in Fox Valley lakes

From JsOnline


By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel

Feb. 21, 2009 6:02 p.m. | The 2009 sturgeon spearing season closed today after spearers took a total of 1,512 of the fish from lakes Winnebago, Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts.

The count included 301 juveniles, 596 males and 615 adult females, which was 97.6% of the 630 quota for adult females allowed this season, said Ron Bruch, sturgeon biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources. The season opened Feb. 14.

Spearers took 89 sturgeon on Lake Winnebago today before the season closed at 12:30 p.m., Bruch said. The lake's season total of 1,237 sturgeon fell below the record of 1,854 set in 2004.

"A snowstorm and strong winds created white-out conditions on Lake Winnebago today," he said. "But that didn't stop large numbers of dedicated sturgeon spearers from driving out on the ice to their shacks this morning."

The season on lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts ended Wednesday. Spearers took 275 sturgeon from those lakes this season.

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