Sturgeon Measurement Proposal

[huntnphool]

Well its about freakin time, seems complaining for years is finally going to pay off, of course we still need Oregon F&W to approve it too.

#7. Fork Length Measurement for Sturgeon
Proposal: Currently, the slot limit for sturgeon harvest is based on a measurement of
the total length of the fish (including the tail). This proposal would allow managers to
use fork length rather than total length when they set the retention size for sturgeon.
Fork length would be defined as the distance from the tip of the nose to the fork in the
tail. Because of the need to coordinate this rule with Oregon on concurrent waters, we
are proposing that this rule would take effect January 1, 2009.
Explanation: Sturgeon have a cyclic tail with the top lobe being longer than the bottom.
Measuring total length requires that the tail is lying in a “normal position”. It is often
difficult for the angler to keep the fish in a “normal position” long enough to measure the
top of the tail. This is particularly a problem with fish that are near the upper and lower
ends of the slot limit. The result is an increase in handling time (waiting until the fish
quits flopping around the boat). Many anglers even hold the fish vertically by the tail
and measure from the floor of the boat to the top of the tail. All of this increases the
handling stress and impacts survival of released fish. This can be a significant problem
since large numbers of sturgeon are caught and released. In addition, there are
instances of people cutting off the top lobe of the tail and releasing the fish, presumably
to make an oversized fish legal if caught again.
Converting to fork length will reduce handling time since the angler will not have to get
the top of the tail in a “normal position”. It is much easier to measure fork length, so fish
not within the slot limit can be released more quickly. It will also take away the incentive
to cut off the top of the tail. Fork length is less ambiguous, making enforcement more
clear-cut and the rule easier for anglers to comply with.
Our sturgeon technical staff has the information to correlate total length for sturgeon to
fork length, so the actual size of sturgeon anglers may retain will not change.
Implementing this rule will be contingent on adoption by ODFW because of the joint
boundary waters on the Columbia River. We will work with ODFW staff this fall on the
potential for implementing this rule as part of our joint sturgeon management plan.

[jackelope]

sounds like a great deal to protect fish that should be released to protect a  resource.
good stuff. hopefully oregon goes for it.

[washingtonmuley]

Are you kidding me? So, does this mean that the commercial fisherman will be throwing back fish? No. I think if you are looking for a way to protect the resource start with the commercial guys. I think if you want to go to a fork measurement then the slot limit should be adjusted.I am so sick and tired of people trying to come up with ways to limit the sport fisherman with a single rod and one hook. I think the proposal you mention is Bulls_ _ t.
Thanks for letting me vent.

[jackelope]

i think there's a lot to be said there limiting the numbers of chumps cutting tails to keep a fish that should be released in the first place...just another word for  poacher IMO. a step in the right direction.

[washingtonmuley]

I have fished the Columbia for many years and have yet to see a fish that had its tail cut. If a person cut a tail on a fish they would more than likely be caught because there is someone on the dock checking fish everytime you come in. Let me see if I have this correct . We now have to catch fish that are bigger to meet the slots. If I'm not mistaken we are trying to protect the larger fish as they are our breeders.

[Antlershed]

I have heard of people cutting the tails as well. They aren't cutting them and then keeping the fish, they are cutting them and then releasing them. I like the new proposal. It is hard to tell when the tail is in the "normal" position.

[wackmaster]

I agree with Antlershed

[huntnphool]

Washingtonmuley, down Cujo, down!!!!

Relax man, they will be adjusting the slot limit to accommodate the new measurement, this way bending the tip of the tail wont have any affect to the length. I would be pissed off if they kept it the same 45-60 too

[washingtonmuley]

Huntnphool,
Yes, I was a spooled up last night. I would buy into the new measurement with the adjustment.Thanks for the info.