Scott Bundy (WI-DNR) taking length and weight measurements from a lake sturgeon at Wendt’s registration station. (photo by: S. Bauer, 2/14/2009)

Eric Leis taking virology and bacteriology samples from a lake sturgeon. (Photo by: S. Bauer, 2/14/2009)

The flags in the wind during the 2009 sturgeon spearing season on opening day. (Photo by: S. Bauer, 2/14/2009)

Opening day for lake sturgeon spearing on the Lake Winnebago system occurred on Valentines Day this year, February 14^th, 2009.   It was a slow day at Wendt’s registration station where Eric Leis and Sarah Bauer of the La Crosse Fish Health Center (USFWS) and Dave Wedan of La Crosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (USFWS) were to take fish health samples.  This year Fish Health was only able to sample 27 sturgeon for bacterial and viral pathogens of concern.  The Fish Health Center has been monitoring the health of the sturgeon since the year 2000.  The fish have been negative for viruses since the health monitoring began.  This is very important considering the Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia was found in the Lake Winnebago during a fish kill of freshwater drum in 2007.   The results of this years fish health sampling are still pending.