Attention Sturgeon Enthusiasts:

The DNR’s Sturgeon Team is starting a process to update Wisconsin’s Sturgeon Management Plan.  The current plan was completed in 2000 and has guided much of the statewide management and recovery efforts for lake sturgeon in Wisconsin.  Many of the recommendations outlined in the current plan have been addressed and the plan is in need of updating.  Additionally, the 2000 plan was specific to lake sturgeon only, whereas the updated plan will include both shovelnose and lake sturgeon management recommendations.  To kick off the planning process, the DNR will be holding 8 public meetings statewide.  The meeting locations were selected to be in the general area of sturgeon populations that provided recreational angling or spearing (Winnebago System) opportunities.  The meeting in the Winnebago System area will be held in Conference rooms A and B of the Coughlin Building (625 E County Rd. Y, Oshkosh, 54901) on Wednesday February 21, 2018. 

It’s important to point out that this is a statewide management plan and thus a separate plan from the Wolf River Resource Management Plan.  There may be some discussion about local sturgeon management activities at these meetings, but the intention is to discuss statewide issues related to sturgeon management.  This round of meetings is the first step in the process to engage the public in the management plan process.  Folks interested in sturgeon management and the plan update process, but unable to attend the meetings, will also have the opportunity to provide written comments on line.  We are in the process of getting a dedicated website to the management plan update and we hope to have that up and running prior to the meeting dates. 

A press release with more information about the meeting locations and objectives went out last week. I have attached that press release to this mailing for reference. 

Ryan Koenigs 

Senior Fisheries Biologist / Winnebago System Sturgeon Biologist

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
625 E County Rd. Y, Suite 700

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Phone: (920)303-5450

Fax: (920)424-4404

Ryan.koenigs@wisconsin.gov  

dnr.wi.gov