Fishing Columbia River Catfish/Sturgeon

[Smossy]

Looking to really get after some catfish out there somewhere along the Wanapum Lake/Columbia River area no idea if its even open to fishing right now because I'm at work and just haven't looked yet, Break's are kinda short so Im just going to throw this question out because Im sure some of you would know.
IS fishing even open there, mostly for catfish?
Is there even any catfish in that area, or is there somewhere somewhat closer I should try for?
What kind of hooks/line/bait works decent for cats/sturgeon?
Is a 20-40lb 6'6 rod going to suffice?
Excuse my ignorance, Im just really busy and have these idea's wonders flowing around. Be back on here at lunch.

[Mfowl]

The Wanapum area isn't really known for catfish/sturgeon. The TriCities area is a better bet for that. The mouth of the Yakima and Snake Rivers are more known destinations for cats. I really don't fish there much so I don't have any specifics. I've caught plenty of cats up in the Snake around Lyons Ferry where the catfish rendezvous is. As far as I know, the sturgeon fishing is mainly a boat fishery to access the best spots. Maybe someone else will offer some more specific info.

Have you put that pontoon boat together yet?

[Smossy]

The Wanapum area isn't really known for catfish/sturgeon. The TriCities area is a better bet for that. The mouth of the Yakima and Snake Rivers are more known destinations for cats. I really don't fish there much so I don't have any specifics. I've caught plenty of cats up in the Snake around Lyons Ferry where the catfish rendezvous is. As far as I know, the sturgeon fishing is mainly a boat fishery to access the best spots. Maybe someone else will offer some more specific info.

Have you put that pontoon boat together yet?

Naw no chance to even mess with it yet, been so busy lately. Been focusing on trying to get my 14ft jon boat to keep out water but its been a downhill battle.

Ill have to look around alittle more for information then to. I just figured anywhere that was open could potentially have cats no idea though. Not the kinda fish I usually go after.

[rover758]

Wish I knew more about the area you're talking about.  Only descent place I've found for sturgeon is launching out of Kalama and then about a mile down river on the Oregon side in about 100-feet of water.  The rod you described will work.  I rig mine with a slip tube above a swivel and attach a 6oz pyramid weight to that (round ones tend to slip too much in the current) and then about 12 inches of leader with double hooks.  Best bait I've found is an anchovy secured to the hooks with stretchy threat.  Don't know nuttin' 'bout cats up here.  Fished a lot for them when I lived in Oklahoma.

[teal101]

There are Sturgeon and there are Cats, just not in any real numbers.  You will not be able to fish the Wanapum Reservoir though.  Due to the dam crack the entire reservoir from Wanapum Dam to Rock Island Dam is closed down to recreation until they raise the water levels.  From there you will be better off hitting Tri-Cities for the Cats or going to Potholes and fishing for Cats there.  You can run up or down river to chase Sturgeon, but you will not find a very big population in the Priest Rapids or Rock Island pools.  I do know they are caught, some big, in the Rock Island pool, just not very often.