Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon Season: license, harvest tags, spearing areas and hook-and-line rules
Lake sturgeon rules in Wisconsin are not one simple fishing season. Hook-and-line harvest, catch-and-release waters, Lake Winnebago spearing, Upriver Lakes drawing tags, harvest caps, registration deadlines and proof rules all work differently. This page explains the full decision clearly before you use the official portal for final purchase.
Quick answer: what season and license do you need?
Wisconsin lake sturgeon season depends on how you fish and where you fish. A normal fishing license is not enough when you intend to harvest a lake sturgeon. For hook-and-line harvest, Wisconsin DNR says anglers must buy a sturgeon harvest tag if they intend to keep a sturgeon. The harvest tag is listed at $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. You do not need a harvest tag for catch-and-release sturgeon fishing on waters open to catch and release.
For winter spearing, Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes are separate choices. Lake Winnebago spearing licenses are listed at $20 for residents and $65 for nonresidents, with an Oct. 31 purchase deadline. Upriver Lakes spearing is a drawing-based opportunity for Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts, and the application deadline is Aug. 1.
What this page solves
Wisconsin lake sturgeon license picker
Use this helper before opening Go Wild. It helps you choose the correct starting product. Final product availability and legal requirements must still be confirmed inside official DNR systems.
Wisconsin lake sturgeon season overview
There are four big categories users should understand before buying anything: hook-and-line harvest, catch-and-release only, Lake Winnebago spearing and Upriver Lakes spearing.
| Season type | Main timing | License or tag idea | Plain-English warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook-and-line harvest on open inland waters | First Saturday in September through Sept. 30 | Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland harvest tag | Only a small list of waters is open. Other inland waters are closed all year. |
| Catch-and-release sturgeon waters | Varies by river and waterbody | No harvest tag needed if you only catch and release on open C&R waters | Zero bag limit means do not keep the fish. |
| Lake Winnebago system spearing | Second Saturday in February for 16 consecutive days unless harvest cap closes early | Sturgeon Spearing Lake Winnebago license/tag | Purchase deadline is Oct. 31. Spearing is not hook-and-line fishing. |
| Upriver Lakes spearing | Second Saturday in February for 16 consecutive days unless harvest cap closes early | Upriver Lakes application by Aug. 1, then license if selected | Drawing applies. These are Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts. |
| Lake Michigan / Green Bay hook-and-line harvest | No open season for listed Lake Michigan / Green Bay areas | Do not buy a harvest tag expecting to keep sturgeon there | Some Great Lakes-related waters are closed to sturgeon harvest. |
Hook-and-line lake sturgeon harvest season
For hook-and-line harvest, Wisconsin DNR lists a narrow open harvest season and a limited set of waters. The season is generally the first Saturday in September through Sept. 30, and the minimum length limit for harvest is 60 inches.
| Hook-and-line rule | What it means | What user should do |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum length limit | 60 inches for lake sturgeon harvest | Measure carefully before keeping. If unsure, release the fish. |
| Harvest tag needed | Required if you intend to keep a sturgeon | Buy the correct Sturgeon Hook & Line product before fishing for harvest. |
| Catch-and-release tag | Harvest tag is not needed just to catch and release on open sturgeon waters | Do not keep fish on a catch-and-release-only water. |
| Open waters are limited | Most waters are not open for sturgeon harvest | Confirm the exact lake, river segment or county rule before buying. |
Open hook-and-line harvest waters listed by Wisconsin DNR
| Harvest water or river segment | Season timing | Plain-English note |
|---|---|---|
| Butternut Lake, Price County | First Saturday in September through Sept. 30 | Harvest tag and 60-inch minimum length limit apply. |
| Jump River from North and South Forks to confluence with Chippewa River | First Saturday in September through Sept. 30 | Check county-specific details before fishing. |
| Yellow Lake, Little Yellow Lake and Danbury Flowage | First Saturday in September through Sept. 30 | Confirm exact water and boundary before harvest. |
| Yellow River from Yellow Lake downstream to the Danbury Dam | First Saturday in September through Sept. 30 | Harvest is not statewide; it is limited by water segment. |
| Wisconsin River downstream from the Wisconsin Dells Dam | First Saturday in September through Sept. 30 | Do not assume upstream waters follow this same rule. |
Catch-and-release sturgeon waters and seasons
Some Wisconsin waters are open only for catch and release. On these waters, the bag limit is zero. A harvest tag is not needed only if you are not keeping a sturgeon and the water is open to sturgeon catch and release.
| Catch-and-release water group | Listed season | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|
| Namekagon River from Hayward Dam to the St. Croix River; St. Croix River including Upper St. Croix Lake upstream from St. Croix Dam at Gordon Flowage; Bear River from Lac du Flambeau Dam; Manitowish River from Rest Lake Dam; Little Turtle River from Lake of the Falls Dam; Flambeau River system; Butternut Lake; East/West Fork Chippewa areas; Chippewa River to Mississippi River; Jump River; Eau Claire River; Red Cedar River; Black River; Wisconsin River from Merrill Flowage Dam to Mississippi River | June 6, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | 0 – catch and release only |
| St. Croix River downstream from St. Croix Falls Dam | Oct. 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027 | 0 – catch and release only |
| Menominee River upstream of the Grand Rapids Dam | June 6, 2026 to March 1, 2027 | 0 – catch and release only |
| Menominee River downstream of the Grand Rapids Dam to Green Bay | Sept. 6, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026 | 0 – catch and release only |
Boundary and outlying water rules
Boundary and outlying waters do not all follow the same sturgeon rule. The exact river segment matters.
| Water | Lake sturgeon rule | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior | Continuous | Check the current DNR guide before harvest because boundary/outlying water details can be strict. |
| Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan tributaries, Green Bay, Green Bay tributary streams, rivers and ditches upstream to first dam or lake | No open season | Do not plan to harvest lake sturgeon from these listed waters. |
| St. Croix River downstream of St. Croix Falls | Harvest: first Saturday in September to Sept. 30; catch and release: Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 | This segment has both a harvest window and a later catch-and-release-only window. |
| Mississippi River, St. Louis River and St. Croix River upstream from dam at St. Croix Falls | No open season | Closed means no harvest season. |
| Mississippi River upstream of Red Wing Dam and St. Croix River from Prescott to Gordon Flowage | June 16 to March 1, catch and release only | Zero harvest. Release sturgeon immediately. |
| Mississippi River downstream of Red Wing Dam and St. Louis and Nemadji rivers | June 16 to April 14, catch and release only | Zero harvest. Confirm section before fishing. |
| Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters | No open season | No harvest season listed. |
| Menominee River below Grand Rapids Dam | Catch and release only, first Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Do not keep sturgeon from this section. |
Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season
The Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season is a separate winter spear fishery. It is not hook-and-line fishing. Wisconsin DNR says the season begins on the second Saturday in February and lasts 16 days or until sex-specific harvest caps for the fishery are reached.
| Winnebago spearing detail | Official 2026 detail | What it means for users |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 opening date | Feb. 14, 2026 at 7 a.m. | The 2026 season followed the second-Saturday rule. |
| Maximum season length | Up to 16 days, closing March 1 unless caps reached earlier | The season can close early if harvest caps are met. |
| Daily spearing hours | 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Do not spear outside listed daily hours. |
| Registration deadline | In line by 2 p.m. same day | Plan route from ice to registration station before you spear. |
| Method | Spearing through ice from a shelter | Open-water sturgeon spearing is not the Winnebago winter method. |
2026 harvest caps
| Waterbody | Juvenile females | Adult females | Males |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Winnebago | 280 | 659 | 981 |
| Upriver Lakes | 70 | 73 | 245 |
| Winnebago System totals | 350 | 732 | 1,226 |
Upriver Lakes sturgeon tags and drawing
The Upriver Lakes are Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts. These waters have higher harvest success than Lake Winnebago, so participation is controlled through an application and drawing process.
| Upriver Lakes detail | Rule to know | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | Aug. 1 | Apply or buy a preference point before the deadline. |
| Application cost | $3 | Use Go Wild or license sales location. |
| Minimum age note | Must be age 12 by the last day of sturgeon season | Check youth eligibility before applying. |
| If selected | Buy Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing license | Resident cost is $20; nonresident cost is $65. |
| If not selected | Preference point generally helps future drawings | Do not assume you can spear Upriver without being authorized. |
Wisconsin lake sturgeon license and tag costs
These are the key sturgeon-related products users search for. Product names and availability are controlled by Go Wild, so always review your official catalog before checkout.
| Product | Resident cost | Nonresident cost | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Spearing Lake Winnebago | $20 | $65 | You will spear on Lake Winnebago. Deadline to purchase: Oct. 31. |
| Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing | $20 | $65 | You were selected or authorized for Lakes Poygan, Winneconne or Butte des Morts. |
| Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland | $20 | $50 | You intend to harvest lake sturgeon by hook and line on an open inland harvest water. |
| Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan | $20 | $50 | You need the Wisconsin/Michigan hook-and-line sturgeon product for eligible waters. |
| Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Application | $3 | $3 | You are applying for the Upriver Lakes drawing by Aug. 1. |
| Military Inland Sturgeon Hook & Line | Check eligibility | $20, not available online | A qualified military user meets nonresident military license rules. |
| Military WI/MI Sturgeon Hook & Line | Check eligibility | $20, not available online | A qualified military user needs the WI/MI sturgeon product. |
Harvest areas: where sturgeon harvest is actually possible
This section helps prevent the biggest user mistake: buying a sturgeon product and going to a closed water.
| Area | Harvest method | Can you keep a sturgeon? | License/tag idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Winnebago | Winter spearing | Yes during open spearing season if legal and caps not closed | Sturgeon Spearing Lake Winnebago |
| Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts | Winter spearing by drawing authorization | Yes if selected/authorized and season is open | Upriver Lakes application, then Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing license |
| Limited open inland sturgeon harvest waters | Hook and line | Yes only during listed harvest season and if fish is legal length | Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland |
| Selected catch-and-release rivers | Hook and line catch-and-release | No | No harvest tag needed if you release and the water is open to C&R |
| Other inland waters | Hook and line | No, closed all year unless specially listed | Do not buy a tag expecting harvest there |
| Lake Winnebago system by hook and line | Hook and line | No, closed all year to hook-and-line sturgeon fishing | Use spearing rules if participating in the winter spear fishery |
| Lake Michigan / Green Bay listed waters | Hook and line | No open season listed | Do not plan harvest there |
Tagging and registration after harvest
Sturgeon harvest has strict same-day registration rules. Build your plan before you fish or spear.
| Requirement | What it means | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Tag on person | DNR reminds spearers that the sturgeon spearing tag must be on their person. | Print your tag from Go Wild before heading onto the ice. |
| Validate tag immediately | After a successful spear, validate by tearing off the bottom portion or removing validation stub. | Do this immediately after harvest, not later at home. |
| Same-day registration | The spearer must be in line at an official registration station by 2 p.m. on the day of harvest. | Know your nearest station before fishing begins. |
| Correct station | Lake Winnebago harvest must be registered at Lake Winnebago stations; Upriver Lakes harvest must be registered at Upriver Lakes stations. | Do not drive to the wrong station after harvest. |
| Openly exposed transport | Unregistered sturgeon transported in or on a motor vehicle must be openly visible to a person in a passing vehicle. | Plan transport so the fish remains visible until registration. |
| No group bagging | The person who speared the fish must be the person who tags/registers it. | Do not let a friend tag your fish. |
How to buy the correct Wisconsin sturgeon product on Go Wild
Use this page to decide first. Then use Go Wild only for final account access, product selection, payment and printable proof.
Decide whether you are hook-and-line harvesting, catch-and-release fishing, Lake Winnebago spearing or applying for Upriver Lakes spearing.
Write the waterbody and section. Sturgeon rules can change from one river segment to another.
Do not buy a tag for a closed water. Some waters are harvest, some are catch-and-release only and some have no open season.
Go to Go Wild for official purchase. Do not enter identity or payment details on unofficial pages.
Sign in, create an account or find your existing DNR customer ID before selecting products.
Choose Sturgeon Spearing Lake Winnebago, Upriver Lakes application/license, Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland or WI/MI product based on your trip.
Lake Winnebago spearing license deadline is Oct. 31. Upriver Lakes application deadline is Aug. 1.
Print the tag before spearing. For harvest, know how to validate the tag and where to register.
Ice safety, sturgeon biology and consumption notes
DNR reminds spearers and spectators that it does not monitor ice conditions. Check local clubs, conservation groups and current ice reports before going out.
The Winnebago System is one of North America’s major lake sturgeon populations and one of the only places where lake sturgeon are harvested by spear.
Lake sturgeon grow larger and live longer than any other fish in Wisconsin. That is why harvest rules are strict.
Because sturgeon are long-lived and can accumulate contaminants, check Wisconsin fish consumption advisories before eating harvested sturgeon.
Common Wisconsin lake sturgeon mistakes
Sturgeon harvest requires a sturgeon product/tag. A regular fishing license alone is not the correct harvest setup.
Lake Winnebago system waters are closed all year to hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing. The famous Winnebago opportunity is winter spearing.
Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing licenses have an Oct. 31 purchase deadline.
Upriver Lakes spearing requires an application by Aug. 1 before the drawing.
Catch-and-release waters have zero bag limit. A tag does not let you keep fish from a C&R-only water.
Harvested sturgeon must be presented at official registration by the required same-day deadline.
Wisconsin DNR central office map
This map is included for official DNR reference and service-center context. For final sturgeon license purchase, use Go Wild. For in-person help, printed proof, special-license questions or sturgeon regulation clarification, use DNR service centers or official DNR contacts.
Official action links
The important details are included above so this page does not behave like a middleman. Use these official links only for actions that must happen on official systems: purchase, exact water lookup, daily spearing updates, registration station confirmation or final legal review.
Wisconsin lake sturgeon season FAQs
When is Wisconsin lake sturgeon hook-and-line season?
For listed open inland harvest waters, lake sturgeon hook-and-line harvest generally runs from the first Saturday in September through Sept. 30. Only certain waters are open, and the minimum harvest length is 60 inches.
Do I need a harvest tag to keep a lake sturgeon in Wisconsin?
Yes. If you intend to keep a lake sturgeon, you need the correct sturgeon harvest tag or spearing license/tag for your method and waterbody.
Do I need a sturgeon harvest tag for catch and release?
No harvest tag is needed if you are only catch-and-release fishing on waters open to sturgeon catch and release. You must release the fish and follow all listed rules.
How much is the Wisconsin sturgeon hook-and-line harvest tag?
Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland is listed at $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. The Wisconsin/Michigan hook-and-line sturgeon product is also listed at $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
When is the Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season?
The Winnebago System spearing season begins on the second Saturday in February and lasts up to 16 consecutive days unless harvest caps close the season earlier. In 2026, it opened Feb. 14 at 7 a.m.
What are the daily spearing hours on the Winnebago System?
Wisconsin DNR lists spearing hours as 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day the fishery is open.
What is the Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing license deadline?
The Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing license has an Oct. 31 purchase deadline.
What is the Upriver Lakes sturgeon application deadline?
The Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing application deadline is Aug. 1. The application is listed at $3 and the applicant must meet the age rule tied to being 12 by the last day of sturgeon season.
Which lakes are the Upriver Lakes for sturgeon spearing?
The Upriver Lakes are Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts.
Can I hook-and-line fish for sturgeon on Lake Winnebago?
No. Wisconsin DNR lists Lake Winnebago system waters as closed all year to hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing. Lake Winnebago harvest is through the winter spearing season under separate rules.
What must I do after spearing a sturgeon?
You must validate the tag immediately, keep the tag with the fish, transport the unregistered sturgeon openly exposed, and present it at the correct official registration station by the same-day deadline.
What time must a harvested sturgeon be registered?
For Winnebago System spearing, Wisconsin DNR says harvested fish must be brought to a DNR-operated registration station, and the spearer needs to be in line by 2 p.m. on the day it was speared.
Can someone else tag my sturgeon?
No. Group bagging is not legal. The person who speared the sturgeon must be the person who tags/registers it.
Where do I buy Wisconsin sturgeon licenses and tags?
Use the official Go Wild portal, an authorized license sales location or a DNR service center where available. Use only official systems for identity details, payment and final product selection.
Editorial verification
This page was reviewed against official Wisconsin DNR and Go Wild resources on July 14, 2026. The review included lake sturgeon season tables, hook-and-line harvest rules, catch-and-release waters, boundary and outlying water rules, Winnebago System sturgeon spearing details, 2026 spearing harvest caps, daily spearing hours, tag validation, same-day registration, open transport rules, license fees, Upriver Lakes application deadline, Go Wild purchase context, DNR service-center context, sturgeon biology and fish consumption advisory notes.
Disclaimer: WisconsinFishingLicense.website is an independent educational website. It is not the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Go Wild, Wisconsin.gov or a government agency. Always verify final license purchase, legal requirements, product eligibility, season status, daily harvest caps and waterbody-specific fishing rules on official Wisconsin DNR resources.