White sturgeon retention season opens Jan. 1 in Bonneville Pool

December 22, 2014

December 22, 2014

Winter sturgeon retention season set for Bonneville Pool

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

Effective dates: Jan. 1 through March 1, 2015

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. This decision was made Dec. 18 at a joint Washington-Oregon public hearing.

Other information: Harvest in the fishery will be monitored with a check-in planned for late January to consider whether the season should be modified consistent with balancing harvest between winter and summer seasons. Fishery managers will meet again in March or April to set dates for the summer retention season.

Catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon will still be allowed between Bonneville and The Dalles dams when retention is not allowed, except fishing for sturgeon is prohibited May 1 through July 31 in the spawning sanctuary from The Dalles Dam downstream 1.8 miles to a line from the east (upstream) dock at the Port of The Dalles boat ramp straight across to a marker on the Washington shore. The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between The Dalles and McNary dams 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.