Recreational sturgeon retention season set for the Columbia River estuary downstream of Wauna powerlines

March 30, 2022

Action: Opens white sturgeon retention seasons.

Effective date: May 11 through June 4, 2022; Wednesdays and Saturdays only, plus Memorial Day (Monday), May 30, 2022

Species affected: White Sturgeon

Location: The Columbia River from the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to the Wauna powerlines, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries.

Rules: White sturgeon from 44-inches minimum to 50-inches maximum fork length may be retained. (Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.)

Sturgeon angling, including catch and release, closes at 2:00 pm on each open retention day.

Catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon is allowed on all non-retention days.

Daily white sturgeon limit: One fish

Annual white sturgeon limit: Two fish

Retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

Reason for action: This population is managed under sustainable harvest guidelines and the legal-size population is large enough to allow for a limited retention fishery within the lower Columbia River.

Information contact: Region 5; 360-696-6211

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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.