Episode 24
The Sturgeon Comeback
Show Date: June 13, 2026
Location: Wisconsin River, Stevens Point. WI
Guide: Matt Lazarski [Catch and Cruise Charters | 715-498-2474]
This week we're doing something that, until recently, wasn't even possible in Wisconsin.
We're joining longtime friends Matt and Jozef on the Wisconsin River for the first season of catch-and-release hook-and-line sturgeon fishing. Most anglers know Matt and Jozef for their pontoon fishing adventures, but they've also spent years supporting sturgeon restoration efforts on the river. To see this fishery finally open feels like a reward for everyone who helped make it happen.
The story behind these fish is remarkable. More than a century ago, lake sturgeon populations declined dramatically across Wisconsin. Through decades of work by biologists, tribal communities, hatcheries, conservation groups, volunteers, and anglers, these prehistoric fish have slowly made a comeback. Rivers that once seemed unlikely to hold sturgeon again are now producing fish that anglers can encounter. The opening of this new catch-and-release season marks a milestone that many people spent years working toward.
Wanting to experience it firsthand, we brought our buddy Henry along for the ride. We weren't sure exactly what to expect, but it didn't take long to find out why everyone has been talking about this opportunity. From the very first fish, it was obvious we were witnessing something special. The action was steady, the fish were powerful, and every hookup felt like a connection to a living piece of Wisconsin history.
What made the day even better was knowing that these fish are here because so many people refused to give up on them. We left tired, smiling, and incredibly grateful—not just for the fishing, but for the chance to experience something that simply wouldn't have existed a generation ago.
A huge thank you to Matt and Jozef, not only for putting us on fish, but for their dedication to helping restore and protect one of Wisconsin's most incredible species.
