August 18, 2022
Action: Opens white sturgeon retention seasons.
Effective dates: Sat. Sept. 10, Wed. Sept. 14, and Sat. Sept. 17, 2022 only.
Species affected: White Sturgeon
Locations: The Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam, including the Cowlitz River.
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)
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: The legal-size population is large enough to allow for a limited retention fishery within the lower Columbia River.
Additional information: Anglers can be notified of in-season rules changes as they are announced by signing up for WDFW Regulation Updates at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.
Information contact: Region 5; 360-696-6211