Record turnout expected for sturgeon season in Wisconsin

OSHKOSH (AP) -- Wisconsin wildlife officials are expecting a record number of spearers on the ice when the state's annual sturgeon season gets under way next month on the Lake Winnebago system.

Department of Natural Resources officials say a record 12,680 bought licenses by the Oct. 31 deadline. That's up from the previous record of 12,423 set last year.

DNR biologists say prospects look good. The agency raised harvest caps for adult females on Lake Winnebago from 711 last year to 745 this time around. The agency also raised harvest limits on upriver lakes from 79 to 83.

The season begins Feb. 11. It will run through Feb. 26 or until spearers reach the harvest caps.