They first spawn at age 12 to 15 and every other year thereafter. That means, in any given year about 20,000 males and 2,000 females are spawning. When spawning begins, pairs of sturgeon guards are assigned to sites for 12-hour shifts. At the end of their shift, guards return to camp for another hearty home-cooked meal before making their way home. Sturgeon guarding is a great way to spend a spring day or evening on the banks of the Wolf, often with sturgeon clearly visible just inches below the surface, said Carl Mesman, Wautoma area DNR warden supervisor.
Many guards bring spouses and children, and have made guarding a family tradition.
While it is impossible to predict the exact dates that spawning will occur, guards are routinely scheduled from April 15 through May 5. Spawning generally occurs for a five to seven day period in that time window. All Copy must be PC format and may include photos. Green Lake Ave.