Spearers excited for extra time on ice

NEENAH - Sturgeon spearing can require patience, not just over one season, but many.

“Still waiting on the first fish,” said Neenah’s Jayme Prey. “If I don't get one this year, it'll be 17 years."

17 years without a fish, so it’s no surprise a slow season in 2012 isn’t stressing out many spearers.

"Patience,” said Paynes Point Hook and Spear member Dale Frank. “It's not a sprint sport. When the fish comes in, the fish comes in."

Spearers only snagged 23 sturgeon Sunday on Lake Winnebago, meaning harvest caps for the system remain far away. The benefit for spearers, despite limited success, is a longer season. Going the full 16 days would mean getting a third weekend on the ice.

“I had to work all week, my buddy Jayme's been here all week,” said Neenah’s Trevor Kiesow. “She'll run 16 days, we'll have 16 days of fun. Fishing's slow, but we have another weekend, see what happens."

So far, across the system, spearers have caught 473 sturgeon according to the Wisconsin DNR.