It was Chris Winchester that asked me back in November of '05 if Ithought there would be more people interested in a spring Lake Sturgeontrip to Lake of the Woods. He said we should give it a name...and theSturgeon Excursion was born.
In years past, Bill Patton, Chrisand a few friends would get together just after walleye season closedto fish for the strange looking fish they call Sturgeon. When theyarrived at The Wigwam Resort they would pay for their lodging, thenmost employees would leave for vacations. After the walleye seasonclosed, there was nothing to do until it was time to get ready for thenext walleye opener in May. Nothing was open unless a trip was made toBaudette 13 miles away. Cabins were $15. a head and the keys were lefton the kitchen table when it was time to go home.
Thinking there wouldn't be much interest, I was taken back when theannouncement was made in our website's cat fishing forum. In April of2006 there were about 50 people in attendance. The three day event wasincredibly successful with everyone catching sturgeon and many catchingthe largest fish of their life. Sturgeon 50+ inches and into the 40pound range were caught and released. There were smiles on everyonesfaces and the same thing was heard over and over, "I'll be back nextyear".
Fast forward to the 2009 Sturgeon Excursion. Saying theExcursion is popular would be an understatement! There are at least 3websites filling at least 4 resorts, plus many folks staying at or nearThe Wigwam in the following weeks after the Official SturgeonExcursion. Cabins are book a year in advance! It's been called the"kick off to the next years open water season" as the area fished hasbeen frozen just days before the Excursion.
The nice part ofsturgeon fishing is a person doesn't need a lot of tackle. Starting atthe terminal end, three or four night crawlers on a 3/0 circle hook, aheavy swivel, a 3 ounce sinker on 20 pound mono or 50 pound braidedline wrapped on a reel like a Garcia 6500 all attached to a muskie orcatfish rod and you're set! There are some that use lighter gear.These people aren't doing the fish any favors. This is catch andrelease fishing only and since man nearly wiped out this fish at theturn of the century, I urge everyone to use the proper gear and supportthe fish by cradling it for photos ect. Get your measurments if youlike, check for a DNR tag, take a couple snapshots and get your fishback into the water. Sexually maturing after 24 years and then onlyspawning every three to four years, it's very important to release themin be best condition possible.
Sturgeon are a cooperative fish!If you don't like to get up early, don't! If don't like to fish late,don't! There's enough sturgeon moving through the Four Mile Bay areato be able to fish when you want. No need for a passport either. Veryfew fish on the Canadian side, just no need to. Where to fish? As longas your not fishing on a fellow boaters anchor rope behind you, you'regood athough a person needs to remember, these fish like to make youdance. We call it the Sturgeon Dance, where even with the heaviestgear, they will lead you around the boat..all the way around the boatand if they can, into your anchor! It's just as much fun to watch thenext boat dance with a sturgeon as it is to catch this hard fightingfish yourself!
From a small group of guys in 2005 to the gathering of hundreds in 2010, the April Sturgeon Excursion folks will talk about their turn atthe sturgeon dance for a long long time!
Brian Klawitter
briank@in-depthoutdoors.com