Sturgeon retention will be closed in the John Day Pool (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam) as of Thursday, March 10.
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington made the decision because catches increased rapidly beginning late last week. Due to the increased catch rate the 105 fish harvest guideline is projected to be met mid-week. Therefore, the sturgeon retention will close Wednesday, March 9 at 11:59 p.m.
Sturgeon retention currently remains open the next two Wednesdays (March 9 and 16) in Bonneville Pool and Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in The Dalles Pool until March 30.
The daily bag limit for retention seasons is one legal-sized white sturgeon, with a statewide annual bag limit of two fish. Remember legal sizes differ between Bonneville Pool and other areas (see release).
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 sturgeon angling remain opens all year, except angling for sturgeon is prohibited May 1 through Aug. 31 within the designated sanctuary areas in each of the dam tailraces.
For the latest Columbia River regulations always visit the Recreation Report Fishing Report.
As sturgeon and other Columbia River fisheries can close quickly when harvest guidelines are reached, anglers are also encouraged to sign up for Columbia River Action Notices to stay on top of fishery management actions. Sign up online.
