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Lake Winnebago's Epic Sturgeon Season Wraps: 1,540 Harvested, Now Chase Walleye and Perch
Published 2 months ago
Description
Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things angling on Lake Winnebago and the surrounding waters here in Wisconsin. It's February 25, 2026, and man, what a season it's been – the sturgeon spearing just wrapped up yesterday after 10 epic days, with the adult female cap hit early. Wisconsin DNR reports a whopping 1,540 lake sturgeon harvested system-wide: 1,261 from Winnebago itself and 279 from the Upriver Lakes. Breakdown's 202 juvenile females, 670 adults, and 668 males. Opening weekend was nuts – 779 from Winnebago and 250 upriver, the best in over a decade thanks to killer ice, access, and clarity. Warm rains mid-week slowed things, but spearers still tagged 54 giants over 100 pounds, 43 from the big lake. Biggest closer was Bennett Glidden's 104.6-pounder at Quinney station.
Ice is still solid in spots despite the thaw, but safety first – check DNR updates. No tides here on fresh water, but water levels are steady. Weather today's calling for partly cloudy skies, highs around 35°F, light winds from the southwest – perfect for a late push before full melt. Sunrise hit at 6:45 AM, sunset around 5:40 PM, giving you solid daylight windows.
Fish activity's hot on sturgeon post-season, but shift to rod 'n reel for walleye, perch, and pike hanging in shallower bays. Recent reports show limits of perch jigging 15-20 feet, walleyes stacking up near river mouths. WTAQ and KFIZ confirm the spearing haul means big fish are moving, so expect active biters.
Best lures? Tip a Rapala jig with wax worms or minnows for perch and walleye – works like gangbusters under ice or open water. For pike, sling big spoons or swimbaits. Live bait shines: fathead minnows on quick-strike rigs or nightcrawlers for panfish.
Hot spots: Hit Stockbridge area off Lake Winnebago – they registered 357 sturgeon, so fish are thick there. Or Downtown Oshkosh for those monster 100-pounders; bays there are gold for jigging now.
Bundle up, respect the ice, and get out there before spring thaw.
Thanks for tuning 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
Ice is still solid in spots despite the thaw, but safety first – check DNR updates. No tides here on fresh water, but water levels are steady. Weather today's calling for partly cloudy skies, highs around 35°F, light winds from the southwest – perfect for a late push before full melt. Sunrise hit at 6:45 AM, sunset around 5:40 PM, giving you solid daylight windows.
Fish activity's hot on sturgeon post-season, but shift to rod 'n reel for walleye, perch, and pike hanging in shallower bays. Recent reports show limits of perch jigging 15-20 feet, walleyes stacking up near river mouths. WTAQ and KFIZ confirm the spearing haul means big fish are moving, so expect active biters.
Best lures? Tip a Rapala jig with wax worms or minnows for perch and walleye – works like gangbusters under ice or open water. For pike, sling big spoons or swimbaits. Live bait shines: fathead minnows on quick-strike rigs or nightcrawlers for panfish.
Hot spots: Hit Stockbridge area off Lake Winnebago – they registered 357 sturgeon, so fish are thick there. Or Downtown Oshkosh for those monster 100-pounders; bays there are gold for jigging now.
Bundle up, respect the ice, and get out there before spring thaw.
Thanks for tuning 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