Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The states of Oregon and Washington today extended the popular recreational white sturgeon season in the lower Columbia River. Under rules adopted during a joint state hearing, anglers will have two additional three-day periods when retention of white sturgeon will be allowed. The first three-day retention period will take place Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12. The second period will take place Friday, July 17 through Sunday July 19.
The action applies to a 40-mile section of the Columbia downstream from the Wauna power lines to Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries.
Sturgeon must be 41-54 inches fork length to be retained, with a daily bag limit of one fish and an annual bag limit of five fish. Retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.
The extension was adopted because catch rates were lower than expected, leaving additional fish available for harvest. A similar extension occurred in 2008.
“I am glad we are able to give our fishermen in the lower Columbia a little more opportunity,” said Steve Williams, deputy director of ODFW’s fish division.
From the Wauna power lines upstream to River Marker 85 below Bonneville Dam, sturgeon retention will continue as planned through July 31. Retention of white sturgeon is permitted in that section of the river on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a fork length limit of 38 to 54 inches. Above, River Marker 85, the Columbia is closed to sturgeon angling through July 31. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the area from Wauna power lines upstream to Bonneville Dam is scheduled to re-open to white sturgeon retention on Thursday through Saturday of each week.
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