Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the 2025 hook and line season for lake sturgeon will open on September 6 and continue through September 30, 2025. The season applies to certain waters within the state.

To participate in the harvest of lake sturgeon, anglers are required to have both a general 2025 fishing license and a valid hook and line lake sturgeon tag. These can be obtained online through Go Wild or from authorized license vendors. The DNR emphasizes that all standard license requirements and fishing regulations remain in effect during this period.

Anglers should be aware that only one sturgeon may be harvested per person during the season, with a minimum length requirement of 60 inches. Upon harvesting a sturgeon, it is mandatory for anglers to validate their tag immediately before moving the fish.

Additionally, every harvested sturgeon must be registered at an official registration station designated by the DNR. Most stations do not operate around the clock; therefore, anglers who plan to harvest fish outside of regular hours must make arrangements to keep their catch properly iced until registration can occur.

For those who wish to release any caught sturgeon rather than keep them, a hook and line sturgeon tag is not required. The DNR encourages responsible catch-and-release practices when releasing fish not intended for harvest.

Fishing by methods such as snagging or foul hooking remains illegal. Sturgeon may only be targeted in waters where an open hook and line season is established, regardless of whether anglers intend to keep or release their catch.

Some lake sturgeon may have research tags attached near their dorsal fin as part of ongoing studies conducted by the DNR. Anglers are asked not to remove these tags if they choose to release the fish back into the water. These tags provide valuable data regarding movement patterns and growth rates among lake sturgeon populations.

If an angler catches a tagged sturgeon, they are requested to report specific information—including location details (county, waterbody, precise location), date of capture, tag number and color, material composition (metal or plastic), and overall length—to their county’s fisheries biologist. This information assists the DNR with future management strategies for sustaining healthy lake sturgeon populations.

The DNR advises anglers seeking more details about rules and guidelines for inland hook and line fishing for lake sturgeon to consult its dedicated webpage on this subject.

"Anglers are reminded that only one sturgeon with a minimum length measurement of 60 inches may be harvested during the season. Anglers who have harvested a lake sturgeon must validate their tag immediately upon harvesting and before moving it."

"A hook and line sturgeon tag is not required if an angler plans to release the sturgeon they catch in the open season. The DNR urges anglers to practice responsible catch-and-release when releasing any fish they do not wish to keep."

"It is illegal to fish by snagging, foul hooking and attempting to hook fish other than in the mouth. Sturgeon may only be targeted in waters with an open hook and line season, even if anglers intend to release their catch."

"Some sturgeon may be tagged near their dorsal fin. Please leave the tag attached to the fish if you release it. Tags provide the DNR with information about movement and growth of lake sturgeon."

"If a tagged sturgeon is caught, please submit the following information to the county's fisheries biologist to help the DNR in future management practices: Where the fish was caught (county, waterbody and location); The date of the catch; Tag number, color and material composition of the tag (i.e., metal or plastic); Overall fish length."