Sturgeon guard volunteers

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is dedicated to the protection of our state's natural resources. For more than 30 years, the Sturgeon Guard program – a partnership between the DNR and concerned volunteers - monitored sturgeon at their spawning sites on the Wolf River to protect the fish from poaching at a time when they were most vulnerable. The program also helped educate the public about sturgeon as a resource.

Recently, a group of dedicated and concerned residents took over the Sturgeon Guard program. Together, in cooperation with the DNR, Sturgeon Guard will continue the tradition of protecting the Winnebago Lake sturgeon population and educate the public about this unique resource by being present at sturgeon spawning sites around the Winnebago system.

If you are interested in volunteering with Sturgeon Guard you can contact them via email at wisconsinsturgeonguard@gmail.com. You can also sign up for information at their Sturgeon Guard Winnebago System Facebook page or through their online form.

Anyone who notices suspicious or illegal activity should report it to the DNR Tipline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367).