[ODFW-News] Columbia River sturgeon angling closes Sunday between Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam

[Odfw News]

For Immediate Release Thursday, April 28, 2005
 
Columbia River sturgeon angling closes Sunday between Beacon Rock and
Bonneville Dam
 

CLACKAMAS - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reminded anglers
today that a 3.5 mile area of the Columbia River between Beacon Rock and
Bonneville Dam is closed to all sturgeon angling Sunday, May 1 - Sunday,
July 31. The rule change was agreed to and adopted by the states of
Oregon and Washington earlier in the year.
 
In addition, anglers may not retain legal sized sturgeon below the Wauna
Powerlines in the Columbia River estuary May 1 - 13. However, catch and
release angling may continue. On May 14, the area downstream of the
Wauna Powerlines reopens to retention with a 45-inch minimum size limit.
 
The closure of all sturgeon angling in the Bonneville Dam-area
sanctuary, including catch and release angling, was adopted to protect
broodstock sturgeon that use the area below Bonneville Dam for spawning.
Research by Oregon State University and Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife shows that about 2,000 fish of reproductive age reside in
the area. These fish exhibit stress when caught and many show evidence
of being caught multiple times. White sturgeon do not begin reproducing
until they exceed 60 inches, which takes about 20 years. They can live
to be older than 100 years. 
 
The current rules governing sturgeon angling in the Columbia River are:

-Buoy 10 upstream to Wauna Powerlines, including Youngs Bay and adjacent
Washington tributaries: 
The current daily bag limit is one fish 42-60 inches in total length.
Effective May 1 - 13, this section of the Columbia River is closed to
the retention of sturgeon. Effective May 14 - July 4, the area is open
for retention of sturgeon 45-60 inches in length. Catch and release
fishing is allowed during retention closures. This area is managed for a
15,000 fish quota specific retention dates may be adjusted to meet the
quota.
 
-Wauna Powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam, including all adjacent
Washington tributaries, Multnomah Channel and the Willamette River
downstream of Willamette Falls:
The current daily bag limit is one fish 42-60 inches in total length.
Effective May 1 - July 31, both boat and bank angling for sturgeon from
Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam is prohibited. In the remainder
of the area, the river is open for sturgeon retention Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays through July 30 and Oct. 1 - Dec. 31. Catch and release of
sturgeon fishing may continue during sturgeon retention closures, except
May 1 - July 31 in the area from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam
when catch and release fishing is prohibited. The fishery will be
managed for a 12,000 fish quota in this section of the Columbia River
and specific retention dates may be adjusted to meet the quota.
 
-Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam: 
The Bonneville Pool is currently open to the retention of sturgeon. The
daily bag limit is one fish 42-60 inches in total length. The annual
catch guideline for the Bonneville Pool is 700 white sturgeon.
 
-The Dalles Dam upstream to McNary Dam: 
The Dalles Pool and the John Day Pool are currently open to the
retention of sturgeon.  The daily bag limit is one fish 48-60 inches in
total length. The annual catch guidelines for The Dalles and John Day
pools are 400 and 165 white sturgeon, respectively.
 
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