Wisconsin is reminding people interested in hunting lake sturgeon to purchase their licenses by Oct. 31, 2026, for the 2027 season, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The 2027 sturgeon spearing season opens Feb. 13, 2027, and will run for a maximum of 16 days or until harvest caps are met.
Licenses are available without limit for Lake Winnebago and can be purchased by residents and nonresidents through the Go Wild system or at license sales locations. Applicants must be at least 12 years old, though exceptions exist for military personnel on leave during the season and youth who will turn 12 between Nov. 1, 2026, and the end of the spearing season.
The Upriver Lakes fishery—which includes lakes Poygan, Butte des Morts, and Winneconne—operates under a separate lottery system limited to 500 permitted spearers. Successful applicants have already been notified and must purchase licenses by the start of the spearing season. Those with Upriver Lakes tags cannot purchase a Lake Winnebago license.
License sales revenue supports lake sturgeon management activities on the Winnebago System. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said these management practices help ensure the lake's sturgeon population remains one of the healthiest in the world that supports the annual harvest.