Release of sturgeon between Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam

February 10, 2012

February 10, 2012

Release of sturgeon between
Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam

Action: The sport fishery for white sturgeon between Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River will close to retention.

Effective date: 12:01 a.m., Feb. 18 until further notice.

Species affected: White sturgeon

Location: The Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam (Bonneville Reservoir).

Reason for action: The fishery will close to retention on Feb. 18 in order to reserve approximately 900 fish for a summer retention season in Bonneville Reservoir. This decision was made Feb. 8, 2012, at a Joint Washington-Oregon public hearing based on input received at a public meeting held Dec. 14, 2011.

Other information: A Joint Washington-Oregon public hearing will be scheduled in late May or early June to determine the start date of the summer retention season.

Catch and release of sturgeon will still be allowed between Bonneville and The Dalles dams. The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between The Dalles Dam and McNary Dam 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 will be closed to all sturgeon fishing May 1 through July 31, 2012.

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. 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.