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Sturgeon Spearing on Lake Winnebago: Ice Conditions, Hot Spots, and Season Update
Published 2 months, 1 week ago
Description
Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for all things angling on Lake Winnebago. It's Friday, February 20th, 2026, and we're smack in the heart of sturgeon spearin' season. Warm temps and rain have been messin' with the ice—still 17-18 inches thick out there per West Shore Fishing Club's Shawn Wendt, but honeycombin' near landings, with vehicle bridges pulled and water seepin' through. DNR warns to check local bait shops for conditions; pressure ridges are poppin' up, so ice claws ready, folks.
Sunrise hit around 6:45 AM, sunset 'bout 5:30 PM—plenty of daylight for early mornin' bites. No tides on this big freshwater beast, but water levels steady despite the thaw. Yesterday, February 19th, spearers nabbed 30 sturgeon system-wide per Wisconsin DNR's daily update: 2 juvenile females, 12 adults, 16 males. Standout was Jordan Schmitz's first-ever, a whopper 102.6-pound, 68.6-inch female off Quinney on the east side. Totals now at 85% of the adult female cap—90% trigger means possible closure soon, maybe by Sunday. Downtown Oshkosh led with early catches.
Fish activity's solid for spearers despite the slush; sturgeon movin' shallow. Battle on Bago axed their ice fishin' contest over poor ice, but shanties linger near shorelines. Perch bit good last week per Outdoor News, but warmer weather slowed weekends.
**Hot spots today:** Southwest Winnebago near Wendt's landing—thick ice held, good access. And east side Quinney for them big females. For lures, big decoys or suckers on tip-ups if you're spearin'. Live minnows or cut bait for perch or walleye if you pivot open water.
Bundle up, watch that ice, and get out safe—season's windin' down fast.
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Sunrise hit around 6:45 AM, sunset 'bout 5:30 PM—plenty of daylight for early mornin' bites. No tides on this big freshwater beast, but water levels steady despite the thaw. Yesterday, February 19th, spearers nabbed 30 sturgeon system-wide per Wisconsin DNR's daily update: 2 juvenile females, 12 adults, 16 males. Standout was Jordan Schmitz's first-ever, a whopper 102.6-pound, 68.6-inch female off Quinney on the east side. Totals now at 85% of the adult female cap—90% trigger means possible closure soon, maybe by Sunday. Downtown Oshkosh led with early catches.
Fish activity's solid for spearers despite the slush; sturgeon movin' shallow. Battle on Bago axed their ice fishin' contest over poor ice, but shanties linger near shorelines. Perch bit good last week per Outdoor News, but warmer weather slowed weekends.
**Hot spots today:** Southwest Winnebago near Wendt's landing—thick ice held, good access. And east side Quinney for them big females. For lures, big decoys or suckers on tip-ups if you're spearin'. Live minnows or cut bait for perch or walleye if you pivot open water.
Bundle up, watch that ice, and get out safe—season's windin' down fast.
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI