Sturgeon retention closes in the John Day Pool after Jan. 9

CLACKAMAS, Ore.— The last day to retain a white sturgeon in the John Day Pool (mainstem Columbia River from John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam and adjacent tributaries) is Friday, Jan. 9.

Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington made the decision today after determining that the harvest guideline in this reach will be met soon. The projected kept catch in the John Day Pool fishery through Jan. 9 is 101 fish (96 percent of the guideline).

Unlike the John Day Pool, recreational sturgeon retention fisheries in Bonneville and The Dalles pools did not open on the traditional date of Jan. 1 this year. Fishery managers anticipate opening retention of white sturgeon in these pools sometime in late January or February when water temperature cools off and catch rates are expected to be lower.

Sturgeon anglers should also be aware that a sturgeon retention fishery is not planned this year in the lower river downstream of Bonneville Dam, as population monitoring continues to find low numbers of legal-size fish.

Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing remains open in the mainstem Columbia, but all angling for sturgeon is prohibited May 1– Aug. 31 within sanctuary areas below each of the dam tailraces. See the permanent regulations for Columbia River Zone details.