Lake Sturgeon Hook and Line Angling Opportunities in Wisconsin

Article authored by multitude of WDNR biologists

By: Ryan Koenigs

            Lake sturgeon are the largest and longest lived fish species in the Great Lakes drainage and were historically abundant throughout their native range of the Great Lakes, Mississippi River and Hudson Bay drainages. However, overharvest, migration barriers, pollution, and habitat destruction have resulted in a significant decline in fish populations throughout their range and extirpation of many populations. Wisconsin is right in the heart of the lake sturgeon’s range and remains home to some of the species most successful management programs (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/sturgeon/lakesturgeonidentification.html). In fact, Wisconsin boasts vibrant recreational hook and line fisheries and a spear fishery for lake sturgeon in many locations, while most populations in other states are protected from harvest to aid recovery programs.     Continue Reading →