Sturgeon spearing licenses for upriver lakes stay at 500

The number of sturgeon spearing licenses will remain at 500 on the upriver lakes for the 2012 spearing season.

The decision by the Winnebago Citizens Sturgeon Advisory Committee was made in part so the lakes of Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts will not become overcrowded with spearers, said Ron Bruch, fisheries supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

A lottery for upriver spearing licenses has been held since 2007 to select the 500 lucky spearers. A record 4,597 spearers applied for the 500 upriver licenses for the 2012 spearing season.