SHAWANO, WI – Sightings of sturgeon in yards, ditches, and other unusual locations along the Wolf River this spring may have surprised residents, but state officials say the behavior is natural, especially during a year with high water.
Wisconsin DNR Lakes Biologist Margaret Stadig says the activity is tied to spawning season and strong water flow caused by recent rainfall. “They were essentially following their instincts, and their instincts during the spring is to follow the flow of water,” Stadig said, noting that even in typical years, sturgeon will occasionally move through culverts into backwater areas.
This year’s flooding simply made those movements more noticeable. Stadig explained that while some fish ended up in unexpected places like lawns or ditches, they typically don’t stay long. “They hang out there, realize the habitat isn’t right, and follow that flow right back out to the main channel,” she said, adding that by the time DNR crews responded to reports, the fish had usually already moved on.
Monitoring the spawning process has been more challenging than usual. Stadig says high water levels have made it difficult to determine exactly where fish are in the process. In many cases, spawning may be happening below the surface. “Sturgeon can spawn underneath the water, likely what happened is they ended up spawning under the water and we just never got to see it,” she explained.
At Sturgeon Park in Shawano, some spawning activity has been observed in recent days, though not at the levels typically seen. Stadig says the DNR continues to monitor conditions but acknowledges much of the activity may have already occurred out of view.
Even when spawning is visible, it can appear intense. Stadig describes it as chaotic, with fish competing for position. “It looks like a WWE wrestling event,” she said, explaining that males use their tails to strike females in order to trigger the release of eggs.
With water levels still elevated, sturgeon remain on the move, either continuing upstream toward Shawano or heading back downstream toward Lake Winnebago. While sightings may continue, officials say they will likely remain unpredictable as the spawning season wraps up.
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