As fishing goes, the sturgeon spearing season on Black Lake may be the shortest in the country: Six fish long. Starting at 8 a.m. on Feb. 1, about 500 fishers hoped to throw spears at sturgeon passing under the ice until the sixth and final fish was caught 17 minutes later, the fastest season ever.
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An A.T.V. pulling an ice shanty back to shore after the end of the 17-minute-long season.
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Ice shanties along Black Lake during the season. Some shanties are nylon and collapsible while others are wooden and metal structures akin to a small shed.
Spearing sturgeon requires a mix of luck, timing and technique. Austin Dreifuerst, a 30-year-old from Fond du Lac, Wis., had all three when he caught the largest of the six, a 78.3-pound, 67-inch sturgeon that was probably twice his age. He was named the 2025 Sturgeon King and received a trophy, cap and gown.
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Dan Brown and other fishers use chain saws to cut fishing holes in the ice.
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Mr. Brown pushes an ice block beneath the frozen surface of Black Lake. Afterward, he will slide the shanty over the top of the newly carved hole.
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