Please consider the following points while you are fishing in areas where sturgeon may be encountered:

If you have hooked a large sturgeon (>1 m in length), avoid "playing the fish".  Break your line immediately to reduce injury to the fish. 

Avoid having a long piece of line trailing from the fish by using a short leader with low-breaking strength. A small section of 8 lb test leader on 15 lb test main line will leave a small piece of the leader when the fish is broken off.

If you have hooked a juvenile or sub-adult (<1 m in length), land and release it as quickly as possible. If the fish is landed, keep it in the water, remove the hook and avoid touching the gills. Returning the fish to the water as quickly as possible is critical to its survival.

To Avoid White Sturgeon Incidental Catches While Angling
Anglers can assist the future development and survival of white sturgeon in the Columbia River system by employing some simple techniques:

• Use non-stainless, single barbless hooks. Stainless steel hooks are slow to corrode if the fish happens to keep it.
• Avoid bottom fishing in areas where white sturgeon frequently occur (i.e., directly below dams, and deep pool areas).
• Use artificial lures.

Accidental Catches of White Sturgeon in the Columbia River

Anglers wishing to provide information regarding white sturgeon incidental catches can contact creel survey technicians by sending:

E-mail to info@uppercolumbiasturgeon.org.

To ensure confidentiality, you may also contact us first, leave a message with a call back number and a fisheries technician will reply.

For further information about the 2006-2007 Angler Awareness Program, please download our Brochure by clicking here.