White Sturgeon Fishing Guide

The white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is the largest freshwater fish in North America, with verified fish exceeding 20 feet in length and 1,500 pounds historically, though such specimens are essentially never caught today. They are found only on the Pacific coast of North America, from Monterey Bay north through the Columbia River to British Columbia and Alaska. The Columbia River white sturgeon fishery is one of the world's most carefully managed large-fish sportfisheries — a slot limit (maximum size) ensures that the largest, most reproductively valuable fish are released. White sturgeon take 15–25 years to reach sexual maturity and can live over 100 years. The combination of large size, powerful fighting ability, and remarkable longevity has made them among the most iconic fish on the Pacific coast.

White Sturgeon is a freshwater species.

Habitat

Large Pacific coast rivers, estuaries, and coastal bays from California to British Columbia; the Columbia and Sacramento-San Joaquin river systems are the most productive US waters. Anadromous — adults move freely between saltwater and freshwater; most of the recreational fishery occurs in tidal portions of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington.

Diet

Bottom-feeding generalist consuming lamprey ammocoetes, eulachon (smelt), shad, crayfish, clams, and virtually any bottom-dwelling prey. Uses sensitive barbels to detect prey in turbid water; the toothless protractile mouth sucks in prey whole. Sand shrimp and lamprey are the most effective fishing baits.

Fishing Techniques

• Heavy bottom fishing with pile worms, shrimp, or salmon roe
• Cured sand shrimp on Columbia River tackle
• Drift fishing below dams during spring runs

Best Seasons

Spring, Summer, Fall

Size & Records

Average weight: 80 lbs. World record: 468 lbs (Benicia, California, USA (1983)).