Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington have closed sturgeon retention in Bonneville Pool as of Jan. 12.
Wednesday, Jan. 11, was the last scheduled day to retain sturgeon in Bonneville Pool (Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam and adjacent tributaries). However, an additional Bonneville Pool weekday may be added at a later date depending on how many sturgeon are left in the 675-fish recreational guideline after Wednesday.
A combination of higher effort (1,903 angler trips), particularly on weekends, and good catch rates have sturgeon harvest accruing more quickly than managers originally projected. Through Jan. 9, recreational anglers in Bonneville Pool have kept 554 sturgeon, or 82 percent of the guideline.
Fishery managers believe continuing to allow sturgeon retention on the next scheduled season date (Saturday, Jan. 14) would put the fishery over the guideline.
Fishery managers implemented a staggered, three-day-a-week fishing seasons (Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays) in Bonneville and The Dalles pools this year to try and lengthen the season. But angler effort can vary based on interest in the fishery and weather conditions, which have been ideal for sturgeon fishing.
Sturgeon retention remains open in The Dalles and John Day pools, with The Dalles Pool at 32 percent and John Day Pool at 31 percent of allowable catch. See WDFW’s website for the latest information on sturgeon harvest at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/creel/sturgeon#regulations
Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing remains open in Bonneville Pool and in other areas on the mainstem, except angling for sturgeon is prohibited May 1-Aug. 31 within sanctuary areas below each of the dam tailraces. See the permanent regulations for details, https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/columbia-river-zone