Bonneville Pool will open to white sturgeon retention

April 16, 2015

April 16, 2015

Bonneville Pool opens to white sturgeon retention
three weekends in June/July

Action: The summer-season recreational fishery in Bonneville Reservoir opens to white sturgeon retention for three 3-day periods in June and July.

Effective dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 19 through June 21, June 26 through June 28 and July 3 through July 5, 2015

Species affected: White sturgeon between 38-inches and 54-inches fork length

Location: The Columbia River and adjacent tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to the sturgeon spawning sanctuary boundary located 1.8 miles downstream of The Dalles Dam, from the east (upstream) dock at the Port of The Dalles boat ramp straight across to a boundary marker on the Washington shore.

Reason for action: Establishes a summer white sturgeon retention period in Bonneville Reservoir. Around 945 fish remain available for harvest from the 1,100 fish total guideline. This balance allows for a summer retention season. This decision was made April 8, 2015 at a joint Washington-Oregon public hearing.

Other information: All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon is allowed, except the spawning sanctuary is closed to all sturgeon angling during May through July.
The Columbia River and adjacent tributaries between The Dalles and McNary dams remain open to sturgeon retention until respective harvest guidelines for each reservoir are reached. The spawning sanctuaries from the Highway 395/I-82 Bridge upstream to McNary Dam and from the Rufus grain elevator upstream to John Day Dam close to all sturgeon fishing May 1 through July 31.

Information contact: Dennis Gilliland, (360) 906-6733.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.