Sport sturgeon retention season approved for Bonneville Pool

December 21, 2012

December 21, 2012

Sport sturgeon retention season approved for
Bonneville Pool

Action: The recreational fishery in Bonneville Reservoir opens to white sturgeon retention 7 days per week.

Effective dates: Jan. 1 through Feb. 10. 2013

Species affected: White sturgeon

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

Reason for action: Establishes the winter-period white sturgeon retention season in Bonneville Reservoir. Fishery managers determined that closing the fishery to sturgeon retention Feb. 11 will reserve about 850 fish for a summer retention season. This decision was made Dec. 18 at a joint Washington-Oregon public hearing.

Other information: The status of the fishery will be reviewed at a Joint Washington-Oregon public hearing scheduled for Jan. 30. Fishery managers will meet again in May to set dates for the summer retention season.

Catch and release of sturgeon will still be allowed between Bonneville and The Dalles dams when retention is not allowed. The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between The Dalles Dam and McNary Dam opens to sturgeon retention Jan. 1 per permanent rules and will remain open 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.

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.