OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Recent mild temperatures mean conditions are dangerous on Lake Winnebago, less than a week before the start of the sturgeon spearing season.

Participants have already been scouting the ice conditions and water quality. Ice is said to be less than a foot thick in some areas.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources say spearers have a chance of finding a record-breaking sturgeon in the season opening Saturday.

State agents say they have captured several fish bigger than the record 212-pounder during spring spawning assessments. They say they’re pretty sure there are some fish more than 250 pounds swimming in the lake.