Lower Columbia Sturgeon

[huntnphool]

Hopefully I can give this a whirl this year.  I was all geared up to go and we ran out of quota last year.  I don't know what I'm doing, so if anyone wants to PM me free advice I'm all ears!

PM sent

[huntnphool]

 Here is the notification for us peasants.

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

April 16, 2018

Sturgeon fishery set in Columbia River
estuary downstream from Wauna powerlines

Action: Allows a limited recreational retention fishery for white sturgeon in the Columbia River estuary. White sturgeon from 44-inches minimum to 50-inches maximum fork length may be retained.

Effective Dates: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays: May 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, and June 2, 4, 2018. Sturgeon angling, including catch and release, closes at 2 p.m. on each open day.

Species affected: White sturgeon.

Locations: The Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines to the mouth at Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries.

Reason for action: Increased legal-size population over the past few years has allowed for a conservative retention fishery within the lower Columbia River.

Other information: Catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon will continue to be allowed on all non-retention days.
Daily white sturgeon limit: One fish.
Annual white sturgeon limit: Two fish.
Retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

Information Contact: Region 5 office; 360-696-6211

[Blacklab]

  

[bullfisher]

I still can't figure out why they want 2 states to play bumper boats in that tiny section of river. 

[metlhead]

May go down and cracker one. Have not been to Deep River in quite some time. How much parking is available at the Oneida ramp?

[WSU]

There's a decent amount in the fields and along the road, but it can be a big pain in the rear.

[Jamieb]

Anyone been out? any reports?
I'll be going out of deep river tomorrow.
Bimart in Aberdeen got in a few smelt so I have bait.

[Antlershed]

Anyone been out? any reports?
I'll be going out of deep river tomorrow.
Bimart in Aberdeen got in a few smelt so I have bait.

Everything I have read is dismal at best. Boats only having 2-3 bites all day in the Astoria area. On the outgoing tide, the river is running at 630k CFS, 400k CFS on the incoming and the water is dirty. It is currently at flood stage in Vancouver. Good luck out there tomorrow though. Hope you can find some fish.

[TomT]

Went out of Deep River Monday.  Four fishermen, one bite all day which resulted in a 36” sturgeon.  Didn’t hear of any keepers and from what we could see, we did better than most.  Pretty bad.

[ASHQUACK]

If you are going tomorrow BE CAREFUL. The river is supposed to be at flood stage and there is a debris warning for logs and other debris coming down river.

[cougkilr]

The fish checker we talked to at Cathlamet on Monday said he checked 81 boats and only 9 fish, we had one bite, dodged debris and logs all morning, good luck if you head out.

[SkookumHntr]

Sounds like it woulda been more fun docking the boat at the duck inn and drinking beer all day! 

[huntnphool]

The fish checker we talked to at Cathlamet on Monday said he checked 81 boats and only 9 fish, we had one bite, dodged debris and logs all morning, good luck if you head out.

 My guess is WSFW have the numbers reversed and the season will end early.

[Jamieb]

the fish checker at deep river seen one fish today.

[Mark Youngblood]

catching is horrible.....dismal at best is an understatement...I canceled my trips the next few days....its just not worth it.