SHAWANO, WI- According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the annual sturgeon spawning run is now underway, although slightly behind schedule due to cooler spring temperatures. Water temperatures need to reach about 53 degrees for the prehistoric fish to begin their ritual, and recent warming trends have finally kick-started the action.
In Shawano, all eyes are usually on the Shawano Dam and Sturgeon Park, where crowds traditionally gather to watch the massive fish launch themselves against the current. However, as of now, no spawning activity has been reported at the Shawano Dam.
Meanwhile, in Shiocton, spawning is officially underway at Bamboo Bend, one of the best natural viewing areas along the Wolf River. Visitors can currently see sturgeon actively spawning along the rocky shoreline, making it an ideal time to visit.
Downstream in New London, at the Sturgeon Trail, sturgeon have been spotted cruising the waters of the Wolf River, but no active spawning has been reported yet.
The spawning season is short and intense, typically lasting just a few days once peak conditions are met. Experts say timing can vary depending on temperature and river flow, meaning the window to see sturgeon up close is often brief.
Sturgeon are ancient fish, dating back more than 150 million years — a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today, the Lake Winnebago System in Wisconsin supports one of the largest sturgeon populations in the world, thanks to decades of conservation efforts.
Locals in Shawano, Shiocton, and New London take pride in their unique role in helping protect and celebrate this living piece of history.
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