Anyone been out sturgeon fishing lately?

[Ripper]

I'm heading down to the Columbia with a couple of other members next week end. Question is, where to go. I've read that they are having better luck above Bonneville, but I have never fished there so I don't know where to start. Someone once recommended the Dalles area but that is like a 5 hour drive for me. I've fished the longview/kelso/Kalama area before and know a few holes. Has anyone been out in that area recently? That's where I'd prefer to fish.  Thanks

[D-Rock425]

I've never been but have seen guys catch them just below Bonneville big ones too.

[Ripper]

I've fished that area also, caught my first few sturgies there.

[cohoho]

Above Bonneville - no retention right now and can be windy and rough, some excellent holes for sure...  This winter was bad, not a lot of fish came out.

Kalama - Slow, even at the good holes......

Washougal - Slow, even at the good holes.......

Below Bonneville - Good and will get better as water heats up a bit, but closure will be in a affect here real soon.....

After that marker 82? Can't remember and below has some good areas on both sides, but for all day fun, maybe not... 

Roster Rock - nice holes, but if water levels raise then it holy heck staying on bottom, unless you bring out the big guns (32ouncers)

My advice if your strictly looking for fun and no retention is to go to the Willamette River.  Once the Columbia goes entirely to C&R I won't anywhere but Willamette, as I just have a real like for that river and if it for fun then might as well have a lot of it...

[Smossy]

Enjoy it while you can, this is the last year sturgeon will be retainable. Then its all catch n release.
So Ive heard.

[markmc]

My son has been catching them left and right out of the Cowlitz with his friends just south of Castle Rock. He also got his first Springer of the year. And yes, he is catching and releasing...

[cohoho]

Interesting, seen a guys anchored before and figure they were fishing Steelhead with bigger gear , didn't even think about Sturgeon...  Maybe that is where they all ran too....

Yep last year for retention -    Hopefully these great fish can make a recovery, but got get the nets out too before that happens...  I surely do not mind the C&R, even though I primarily fished for these guys since moving here - every stinking weekend there for awhile...

[Smossy]

Interesting, seen a guys anchored before and figure they were fishing Steelhead with bigger gear , didn't even think about Sturgeon...  Maybe that is where they all ran too....

Yep last year for retention -    Hopefully these great fish can make a recovery, but got get the nets out too before that happens...  I surely do not mind the C&R, even though I primarily fished for these guys since moving here - every stinking weekend there for awhile...

I don't mind it either, as long as they don't come up with some "Cant remove from the water" crap. Then it will be hard to get some solid pictures.

[Ripper]

Thanks everyone, maybe I'll launch at Beacon Rock and fish below the dam. Are you going to be out Cohoho? If so gimme a ring and we can chat. Don't you live down that way Smossy? It would be nice to meet you and your girl.