Fishing Wisconsin - Lake sturgeon spawning

Spawning update 2015

Thursday, April 16

The sturgeon spawning run on the Wolf River has begun. There are currently multiple spawning pods working at the Sturgeon Trail in New London and at least one spawning pod working at Bamboo Bend in Shiocton. The water temperatures have warmed up quite rapidly and will continue to warm over the next couple of days with the warm sunny weather. Due to these conditions, I believe the fish will spawn very fast and we will have a short, intense run that may last less than a week. So if you want to get out and see the sturgeon spawn, I highly recommend making arrangements to do that over the next 1-2 days in New London or Shiocton. I am anticipating that there will be spawning activity below the Shawano Dam by this weekend as well.

- Ryan Koenigs, sturgeon biologist, Oshkosh.

Sturgeon spawning

During mid-April to early May, Lake Sturgeon travel upstream to their spawning grounds, giving the public a prime opportunity to see these ancient ones up close.

Sturgeon spawning is dependent on water temperature and flow. During seasons when water flow is high and water temperatures rise slowly, spawning begins when water temperature reaches 53 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, during seasons of low water flow and more rapid water temperature rise, spawning does not begin until water temperatures reach 58-59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wolf River cam at Shawano Dam - underwater [exit DNR]

Call the sturgeon hotline number for recorded daily updates: (920) 303-5444.

Sturgeon guard

Volunteer to guard sturgeon at their spawning sites on the Wolf River and protect the fish from poaching

Lake sturgeon spawning/viewing locations on the Wolf River

Maps open to larger images. Sites are listed from North to South

Shawano Dam in Shawano - Parking available on the east side of the river at the end of Richmond Street.

Bamboo Bend at Shiocton - on County Highway 54. Parking available on the north side of County Hwy. 54.

Wolf River Sturgeon Trail (near New London) - about 2 miles west of New London on County Highway X. Parking available on the south side of the river about 1/2 mile from the spawning site

KIDS FISHING CLINIC MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 26, 2015

Brenda Rosin Schaff called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 PM
Attendance: Ron Gray, Matt Coffaro, Brian Boelter, Jim Gilles, Dave Schmitt, Brenda Rosin Schaff, Rich Hehn, Nancy Wucherer, Kathy Briesemeister, Jill Levy, Emily Johnson, Jeff Scott, Cliff Schulz, Dan Day, Steve

Click here to review entire minutes.

WCSFO SPRING MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 21, 2015

Location - Gander Mountain 6939 South 27th Street Franklin, WI

The meeting was called to order by President John Durben at 10:08 A.M.

Present: John Durben of WCSFO, GBA/GLSF, Cornell Stroik of WCSFO, Bass Nation/Bass Federation, Brenda Rosin-Schaff of WSCFO, Badger Fisherman’s League/KFC, Ron Gray of Milwaukee Casting Club/KFC, Duane Marcell of Okauchee Fishing Club/KFC, Gordy Merz of WWF Dist. 9, Badger Fisherman's League, Steve Hewett of WDNR

Minutes from the previous meeting were read by the Secretary – Brenda Rosin-Schaff who noted an error in the Kids Fishing Clinic date of 4/12/15 and should read 4/11/15. A motion was made to correct and approve the report as published. Passed with no discussion.

CLICK HERE to review entire Minutes Document with attachments

DNR Educator Workshops & Events

April

April 4. MacKenzie Center’s Annual Maple Syrup Festival, Poynette.

April 15 deadline. 2016 State Park Sticker Design Contest. 

April 11, 18, 25 and May 2. Work*Play*Earth Day at Wisconsin State Parks. 

April 25. Project WILD and Aquatic WILD Workshop. Ladysmith.

May

May 9-June 20. Wisconsin Master Naturalist Training.  Kohler-Andre State Park, Sheboygan.

May 15 deadline. May is Clean Air Month. Celebrate with DNR’s Air, Air Everywhere Poetry Contest!

August

August 18. Project WET Training Workshop. Retzer Nature Center, Waukesha.

August 22. New exhibits coming to the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, Horicon.

Women can learn how to catch bass, muskie from a pro

Women who want to take their fishing beyond the basics can learn from pro angler Mandy Uhrich in a class called Learn to Sport Fish, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Cabela’s in Rogers.

“This class for women, taught by women, is a great way to learn how to catch more than panfish this year,” said Linda Bylander, coordinator of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We’ll focus on techniques and gear selection for bass, muskellunge and other gamefish.”

The class is free and registration is requested. Women who attend have the opportunity to register for a guided bass fishing trip in the Brainerd lakes area, or a guided muskie fishing trip in the Twin Cities metro area. Those trips are in mid- to late summer, and women must attend the April 11 class to register for the guided trips.

To register for the April 11 class or for more information, contact Linda Bylander at 218-833-8628, linda.bylander@state.mn.us. For more information on BOW, see www.mndnr.gov/bow.

WCSFO Joins Other Statewide Sports/Conservation Groups Opposed to State Budget

In a joint letter to the Joint Committee on Finance, the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations (WCSFO) and 14 other statewide Sport and Conservation Groups went on record as being opposed to portions of the proposed State Budget presented by Governor Scott Walker.

The Statewide groups represent over 200 Clubs in Wisconsin with over 100,000 members. The letter was written to urge the Committee to support retaining the 18.4 DNR research scientist positions in the 2015-2017 state budget.

Click Here to review letter and fact sheet.

^{Wisconsin Trappers Association}

^{Ruffed Grouse Society,}

^{Wisconsin Waterfowl Association}

^{White Tails Unlimited,}

^{Wisconsin Federation of Great Lakes Sports Fishing Clubs}

^{Walleyes for Tomorrow}

^{Wisconsin Sporting Dogs Association}

^{Sturgeon for Tomorrow}

^{Wisconsin Deer Hunters Inc.}

^{Sharp Tailed Grouse Society}

^{Wisconsin Muzzleloaders}

^{Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations}

^{Izaak Walton League-Wisconsin Division}

^{Wisconsin Association of Field Trial Clubs}

^{Wisconsin Wildlife Federation}

WCSFO 2105 Annual Spring Meeting Agenda

Click on photo for enlarged pdf