Sturgeon Patrol

Last Wednesday night Andy and I embarked on our expedition as sturgeon guards. After leaving Stevens Point we drove out to Shiocton and went to the main base camp, also known as “fish camp.” This camp is a DNR owned farmhouse where all the volunteering folks are assigned areas and told what to do. When we arrived we were sent downstairs to eat a home cooked supper and pack our lunch for the night. While we were eating I was interviewed by a representative from Wisconsin Public Radio. I was then broadcasted this past Tuesday on the radio. While eating other volunteers were arriving back from the day shift and we talked about how many fish they seen and any other interesting events. After supper we then went upstairs and were assigned an area to go and perform sturgeon guard. We were also given a hat. We were place in a remote location along the Wolf River. The name of the place was “the shithouse.” This location was very secluded and there were dozens of sturgeon present along the rivers banks. Our duties were to watch for poachers or anybody harassing the fish. I few saw any we had to call the base or the local conservation warden on duty. While we were here we had the chance to view the sturgeon practicing their spawning rituals. The female would come near the shore and the males would then brush up next to her and perform external fertilization. The sturgeon spawned all night. We were there until 6:30 in the morning. We then went back to base and had breakfast there. After breakfast we said our thank you’s and good bye’s and headed back to school. I then made it into lab at 9 and did not sleep until later that night. It was hard on the body but I feel that it was an amazing experience. I plan on returning next year and I would recommend this to anyone interested in fishes. I am unable to get my pictures up but I have some up by early next week.