Spearing Season Inching Closer

We are now less than two weeks away from opening day of the 2013 Lake Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Season.  Once again mother nature has thrown us some curveballs, causing some unsafe ice conditions around the lake.  The long range forecast shows another shot of cold air before spearing season begins, but the general consensus is that the east shore has better ice conditions than the west shore.

There are several open water areas on the lake, as well as many large areas that have recently frozen over and only have 2-6" of ice on them, making for very dangerous vehicle travel.  My suggestion for spearers, check with the local fishing clubs before venturing out onto the ice.  There are many fishing clubs around the lake, and they put the time in to drill holes and check ice thickness, plow roads, place bridges over cracks, and mark unsafe areas.

A general rule on the lake that everyone should be aware of; standing trees mark a road, while trees laying down on the ice mark danger, whether it be open water, a crack, or location where someone has broken through.  Stakes are the other marker you will find on the lake, and they simply mark an old Sturgeon Spearing hole, which should also be avoided at all costs.

If you haven't already done so, now is the time to get your shack ready, fire up that saw, organize your spearing equipment, fill your propane tanks, and get ready for another action packed spearing season!  Make sure to check out the forums tab here on the site to see what people are talking about leading up to opening day!