Ann Runstrom, fishery biologist with the La Crosse NFWCO, assists a Menominee youth holding a lake sturgoen while other youth gather close to touch and observe the mighty fish. Photo by Pam Thiel, 9/27/2008, Keshena, WI

A young Menominee girl paints a fish for stamping on her t-shirt at the Menominee Tribe's stugeon celebration. Photo by Ann Runstrom, 9/27/2008, Keshena, WI

Fish print t-shirts hang to dry at the Menominee Tribe's sturgeon celebration. Photo by Pam Thiel, 9/27/2008, Keshena, WI

The face on this Menominee girl tells it all at the Menominee Tribes sturgeon celebration. Photo by Pam Thiel, 9/27/2008, Keshena, WI

Young and old enjoyed seeing lake sturgeon up close and personal at the Menominee Tribe's sturgeon celebration. Photo by Pam Thiel, 9/27/2008, Keshena, WI

Menominee Department of Conservation and the La Crosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (NFWCO) hosted a lake sturgeon celebration day Saturday, Sept. 27 on the shores of Legend Lake near Keshena, Wis., on the Menominee Indian Reservation.  The main purpose of the event was to conduct outreach to Tribal members on sturgeon management efforts and the significant sturgeon population now present in the lake, and to encourage Tribal members to try their hand in harvesting a sturgeon.  The Service has worked closely with the Tribe and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources since 1992 to establish a harvestable population of lake sturgeon.  Managment efforts, such as stocking 60,000 lake sturgeon,  have been successful and the lake is now home to more than 1,000 sturgeon.  There are numerous lake sturgeon present that exceed 50 inches and 35 pounds.  The lake has been open to sturgeon harvest for two years, but no fish have been harvested as there has been very little effort.  The day’s event was held to increase awareness of the quality fish present in the lake.   Menominee Historical Preservation Office, Green Bay NFWCO, Menominee Department of Environmental Services, Menominee County Fire Department, Legend Lake Property Owners Association, and Menominee County Extension Office all assisted in making the day a huge success.

Four large sturgeon on display in a 2000 gallon fire department water tank were the main attraction.  Young and old alike appreciated the chance to get up close and personal with these giants of the lake.  There were fish painting and casting events for children, samples of smoked and grilled sturgeon, a sturgeon cleaning demonstration, boat rides, and free door prizes provided by Menominee Conservation.  Information was provided on exotic species, sturgeon management and regulations, fishing techniques, sturgeon cleaning and cooking, and Menominee history.  The event was well attended and will likely become an annual occasion.