Sturgeon Hook and Line Season

Download the hook and line sturgeon regulation poster [PDF 69KB]

Because of increased angler pressure and harvest in some of the more popular fisheries, a regulation change to protect all sturgeon equally took effect on September 1, 2008 in all inland waters open to lake sturgeon angling.

2009 Regulations

The sturgeon hook and line season opens Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 30.
The minimum length limit for lake sturgeon harvest is 60 inches.

Exceptions

Downstream from the Hattie Street dam to Green Bay on the Menominee River is catch and release only.

Sturgeon Harvest

Anglers need to purchase a harvest tag if they intend to keep a sturgeon. The harvest tag is available throughout the season and costs $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

Harvest tags can be purchased at:

DNR Service Centers
License Sales Locations
By Calling 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236)
Online

Anglers who harvest a legal-size fish must immediately attach the harvest tag to the fish and take it to a registration station by 6 p.m. the next day for registration.

All anglers must have a Wisconsin general inland fishing license unless they are under 16 years old, or were born before Jan. 1, 1927. Active military personnel who are Wisconsin residents and in active service but on furlough or leave are eligible to received a free annual fishing license.

Find a Registration Station

2009 Hook and Line Lake Sturgeon Registration Stations [PDF 38KB]

Sturgeon are Wisconsin's largest and longest-lived fish.

Angling Opportunities

There are angling opportunities for hook and line sturgeon anglers in specific harvest areas in some of Wisconsin's larger river systems.