One last chance to spear a sturgeon

Lake Winnebago - The 78th sturgeon spearing season will end at 12:30 Thursday afternoon after just six days of open season.

For only the second time in the last six years, the sturgeon season failed to make it into the second weekend, as tomorrow will be the last day on the ice on both Lake Winnebago and the Upriver lakes.

Wednesday the 90 percent cap number was triggered for the Adult Females, falling just 17 shy of ending the season altogether.

With the relatively quick season this year, it's good news for those who have pulled in their prize.

For those who haven't, there is still one last chance.

The news isn't surprising to spearers on Lake Winnebago still in search of their scale tipping sturgeon for the season.

"I think the excitement of the bigger fish has got more people spending more time in their shacks," said Dale Frank of Neenah. "Witness that 212 pounder that was taken and so many really big sturgeon."

Greg and Andy Ebel think the spearing season is closing so soon because of the conditions on Lake Winnebago. "I think it's basically because of the water clarity, people can see the fish," said Greg. "We've had a lot of years with good clear water but this one is exceptional. I mean we can see down there 14 feet and we can see a nickel down there if it's heads or tails."

"The ice quality is good," said Andy Ebel. "People can get out here and feel safe being out here."

47 year old Paul Schneider of Fond Du Lac has a different take. Schneider believes the spearers ability to move across Lake Winnebago has sped up the season.

"Well I think the mobility of the shantys, the newer shantys and the ability to move around to where there is clean water and to where they are spearing fish helps out," said Schneider. "The communication with cell phones and radios and that type of thing helps out also to help zero in on where the fish are being taken."

All these factors have made for a successful season, at least for those who have gotten their trophy sturgeon.