Leader Staff
Ryan Koenigs, of the Department of Natural Resources, expects sturgeon will be spawning Tuesday at the Shawano dam.
“The fish are already there; it is just a matter of them getting active,” said Koenigs, who also indicated the water temperature was reported at 51 degrees Sunday at the dam. “It is just matter of time.”
Ideal water temperatures for spawning occur between 48 degrees and 53 degrees, and the temperature was reported as 49 degrees Monday afternoon.
Koenigs said DNR conservation wardens should have a “heavy presence at the Shawano dam” Tuesday.
Spawning season generally occurs between April 15 through early May 2. Unusually cold weather delayed the annual run both last year and this year.
There were reports of spawning activity 40 miles south of the Shawano dam in the Shiocton and New London area Monday.
Fish movement was visible on the webcam along the Shawano dam by Monday afternoon.
The prehistoric fish spawn on rock outcroppings on the outside of river bends or the upwelling of a current.