Four additional days of sturgeon fishing announced on lower Columbia River

OLYMPIA – Anglers will be able to catch and keep sturgeon on a section of the lower Columbia River for four more days in September, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced today.

In addition to the previously announced openings on Sept. 11 and 18, anglers will be able to retain sturgeon on the Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam (including the Cowlitz River) on Sept. 19, 22, 25, and 29.

Columbia River fishery managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended the additional dates after the first opening on Sept. 11 saw lower-than-expected catches of legal sturgeon.

Anglers kept an estimated 347 legal-size fish during that opener, out of a harvest guideline of 1,230.

“Catches were slower than expected on the first day of the sturgeon fishery, and these extra days should offer anglers some good opportunities to reel in one of these remarkable fish,” said Laura Heironimus, sturgeon lead with WDFW. “Catches tend to slow down as the month goes on, so we’re confident these additional days will maximize opportunity while keeping us within our quota.”

Anglers may retain only white sturgeon measuring 44 to 50 inches from the tip of their nose to the fork in their tail (“fork length”). Catch limits during the season are one legal-size white sturgeon per day and two legal-size fish per year. Only one single-point, barbless hook is allowed when fishing for sturgeon. Anglers may not fish for or retain green sturgeon, which is a federally protected species.

Anglers are encouraged to check WDFW’s emergency rules at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/ for potential changes to this and other fisheries, and to check the 2021-22 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations for additional permanent rules.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.