Hunting Washington Forum
Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: KFhunter on May 22, 2017, 09:51:47 PM
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https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1975
May 22, 2017
Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon fishery
Action: Open a harvest fishery for white sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt.
Species affected: White sturgeon
Location: Lake Roosevelt
Section A: From Grand Coulee Dam to China Bend Boat Ramp (including the Spokane River from Highway 25 Bridge upstream to 400? below Little Falls Dam, Colville River upstream to Meyers Falls and the Kettle River upstream to Barstow Bridge)
Section B (white sturgeon spawning sanctuary): From China Bend Boat Ramp upstream to the Canadian Border Effective Dates:
Section A: Open 7 days per week beginning May 27 through Sept. 17, 2017.
Section B (white sturgeon Spawning sanctuary): Open seven days per week beginning Aug.1 through Sept. 17, 2017.
Fishery Rules: Daily Limit 1 sturgeon. Annual Limit 2 sturgeon. It is legal to retain sturgeon between 38 inches and 63 inches fork length. Fork length is measured from the tip of the snout to middle of the fork in the caudal fin (tail). All harvested sturgeon must be recorded on a Catch Record Card (Catch Code 549). Two pole fishing is allowed. Closed to night fishing. All other statewide rules for white sturgeon must be observed.
WDFW requests that anglers use heavy gear, 50lb test mainline and leader at a minimum, and use14/0 hooks or smaller to avoid catching and/or injuring large wild adult sturgeon. The request to use heavier gear will ensure anglers hook and land sturgeon effectively, but also is protective of large wild adult brood sturgeon that, if hooked, should be played to hand quickly and released without being removed from the water. WDFW recommends that any fish that will not be legally retained should not be removed from the water prior to release.
Reason for action: The white sturgeon population in the Upper Columbia Transboundary Reach (Grand Coulee Dam, Washington to Hugh Keenleyside Dam, British Columbia) has experienced consistent juvenile year-class production failure for more than 30 years. In response to production failure, the Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative (UCWSRI) was formed in 2000. The UCWSRI produced a Recovery Plan (finalized in 2002) with the goal, ?To ensure the persistence and viability of naturally-reproducing populations of white sturgeon in the Upper Columbia River and restore opportunities for beneficial use, if feasible?. A White Sturgeon hatchery program began in 2001 (2002 releases) in British Columbia (BC) and 2004 (with brood year 2003 fish from BC) in Washington using conventional brood stock and hatchery rearing methods. Stocking ranged from 2,000-12,000 juvenile sturgeon per year from 2001 to 2010 (including both Washington and BC releases). Survival of hatchery-produced juvenile sturgeon was much higher than anticipated. As a result, there is a surplus of approximately 20,500 sturgeon that are available for harvest from Lake Roosevelt over the next decade.
Other information: The Lake Roosevelt co-managers (WDFW, Spokane Tribe and the Colville Confederated Tribes) will all be conducting sturgeon fisheries. The co-managers have negotiated a catch share agreement which allows each entity a guaranteed portion of the sturgeon harvest. Non-tribal licensed anglers will have the opportunity to harvest up to 10,250 sturgeon over the next 10 years.
Non-tribal anglers are asked to be respectful of tribal angling and both tribal and non-tribal sturgeon research that is occurring on the reservoir. Anglers are reminded that fishery dates, times, slot limits, daily limits and annual limits may be adjusted over the next decade to ensure a sustainable population of sturgeon is maintained in Lake Roosevelt and that equitable access to the negotiated catch share amongst the three co-managers is achieved.
Information Contact: For more information, contact Chris Donley, WDFW Region 1 Fish Program Manager (509) 892 1001 ext. 307 or Bill Baker, WDFW District 1 Fisheries Biologist (509) 684-2362 ext. 23.
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Very cool, may have to give this try.
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:tup: A species I've never caught, yet. What works well for them? I'll be giving it a go soon. Any tips?
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I see them rolling up at kettle all the time when i'm up there fishing walleye. Had one almost hit the boat once. We made eye contact LOL.
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I heard about this happening last year. :tup: :tup:
Bring on some more water to get the launches open.
Just watch out for floating surprises.
Temporary Collection Boom Installed at River Mile 702
Alert 1 , Severity ,danger ,,Temporary Collection Boom Installed at River Mile 702
The higher than normal run off in the Kettle River has caused the debris boom at the mouth of the river to breach. A temporary collection boom will be installed at river mile 702. Mile 702 is approximately 1 mile south of the Highway 395 bridge.
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The wife and I used to hook into them all the time while fishing at the upper Columbia rv park. Never did get one of the big 5+ footers in though.
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Sounds like Lower Columbia is going to open soon. Will be announced today Im pretty sure
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:tup: A species I've never caught, yet. What works well for them? I'll be giving it a go soon. Any tips?
I used to toss out a gob of crawlers with about a 3' leader and slip sinker set up. Of course I was fishing for anything that would bite (walleye/rainbow). We hooked them frequently from the sand bank behind upper Columbia rv park.
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:tup:
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Should be a fun fishery! :IBCOOL:
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Isn't the reason that they opened sturgeon down by wanapum in part because they wanted to remove the hatchery fish and try to leave the larger wild fish? Is this new opening the same idea?
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I believe its been open for 3 years now...must not be many people fishin it.
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Not the upper Columbia, Lake Roosevelt it's been closed for decades. I'm excited about this, fond memories of rowing out and dropping a line. I do wish night fishing was open but I'll take what I can get at this point.
I like to use panty hose filled with chicken gizzards and a weight release set up. I used to use 10lb line break away but I've since got some cool weight releases.
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I agree KF, it sounds like a great time. I hope I get the chance. I'm just trying to figure out the logic of taking a depressed fishery (wild sturgeon) then building hatcheries in order to "restore opportunities for beneficial use" and then decide that they need to be removed in order to not compete with wild fish, see below. I understand that this month's press release below was for the wanapum region but it sounds like the same logic as now for the upper Columbia. Can someone explain?
May 4, 2017
Sturgeon fishery opens June 3 in Priest Rapids, Wanapum reservoirs
Action: Allow harvest of sturgeon
Effective Dates: One hour before official sunrise on June 3 through one hour after official sunset on Sept. 30, 2017.
Species affected: White sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length
Location: Priest Rapids Reservoir (from Priest Rapids Dam to Wanapum Dam) and Wanapum Reservoir (from Wanapum Dam to Rock Island Dam)
Reason for action: Hatchery-origin white sturgeon residing in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs since the early 2000s are abundant and have grown to a harvestable size. Removal of these hatchery-origin fish is consistent with ongoing actions to rebuild depressed populations of wild-origin white sturgeon in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs.
Other information:
Daily limit of one (1) sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length may be harvested from Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs only.
Annual limit of two (2) sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length may be harvested from Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs only. Anglers are required to record sturgeon harvested from Priest Rapids (537) and Wanapum (539) reservoirs on a Catch Record Card.
Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs after the daily limit is harvested.
Any sturgeon not to be harvested must be released immediately. Oversized sturgeon cannot be removed totally or in part from the water.
Night closure in effect for sturgeon. Official sunrise and sunset times can be found at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php
Only one single-point barbless hook and bait is allowed while fishing for sturgeon.
Anglers may fish for sturgeon with two poles with the purchase of a Two-Pole Endorsement license.
In the field, eggs must be retained with intact carcass of fish from which they came.
All closed water areas in and around Priest Rapids, Wanapum, and Rock Island dams are still in effect. Check the current sport fishing rules pamphlet for complete details (http: //wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/).
Daily and annual limits, harvestable slot length limits, Catch Record Card recording requirements, and all other sport fishing rules governing sturgeon harvest in all other legally open fisheries still apply.
Information Contact: Chad Jackson, District Fish Biologist, (509) 754-4624, x250
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
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I am pretty excited about this. Can't wait to get out there and try and find some of these fish. What kind of areas do you guys think will be productive for fishing? I can't see fishing for them in the main channel that is 200'+ deep. Would you look for the sandy flats or maybe the mouths of bays? It's something else to try for at the very least.
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Sounds like Lower Columbia is going to open soon. Will be announced today Im pretty sure
Where did you get this info?
That would be awesome too!
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I'm not a fish bio....
I agree KF, it sounds like a great time. I hope I get the chance. I'm just trying to figure out the logic of taking a depressed fishery (wild sturgeon) then building hatcheries in order to "restore opportunities for beneficial use" and then decide that they need to be removed in order to not compete with wild fish, see below. I understand that this month's press release below was for the wanapum region but it sounds like the same logic as now for the upper Columbia. Can someone explain?
I think there's a glut of younger fish scooping up the available feed before the big breeders can get to it.
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I agree KF, it sounds like a great time. I hope I get the chance. I'm just trying to figure out the logic of taking a depressed fishery (wild sturgeon) then building hatcheries in order to "restore opportunities for beneficial use" and then decide that they need to be removed in order to not compete with wild fish, see below. I understand that this month's press release below was for the wanapum region but it sounds like the same logic as now for the upper Columbia. Can someone explain?
May 4, 2017
Sturgeon fishery opens June 3 in Priest Rapids, Wanapum reservoirs
Action: Allow harvest of sturgeon
Effective Dates: One hour before official sunrise on June 3 through one hour after official sunset on Sept. 30, 2017.
Species affected: White sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length
Location: Priest Rapids Reservoir (from Priest Rapids Dam to Wanapum Dam) and Wanapum Reservoir (from Wanapum Dam to Rock Island Dam)
Reason for action: Hatchery-origin white sturgeon residing in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs since the early 2000s are abundant and have grown to a harvestable size. Removal of these hatchery-origin fish is consistent with ongoing actions to rebuild depressed populations of wild-origin white sturgeon in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs.
Other information:
Daily limit of one (1) sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length may be harvested from Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs only.
Annual limit of two (2) sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length may be harvested from Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs only. Anglers are required to record sturgeon harvested from Priest Rapids (537) and Wanapum (539) reservoirs on a Catch Record Card.
Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs after the daily limit is harvested.
Any sturgeon not to be harvested must be released immediately. Oversized sturgeon cannot be removed totally or in part from the water.
Night closure in effect for sturgeon. Official sunrise and sunset times can be found at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php
Only one single-point barbless hook and bait is allowed while fishing for sturgeon.
Anglers may fish for sturgeon with two poles with the purchase of a Two-Pole Endorsement license.
In the field, eggs must be retained with intact carcass of fish from which they came.
All closed water areas in and around Priest Rapids, Wanapum, and Rock Island dams are still in effect. Check the current sport fishing rules pamphlet for complete details (http: //wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/).
Daily and annual limits, harvestable slot length limits, Catch Record Card recording requirements, and all other sport fishing rules governing sturgeon harvest in all other legally open fisheries still apply.
Information Contact: Chad Jackson, District Fish Biologist, (509) 754-4624, x250
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
they are still doing the hatchery program. The reason they want them out is it's a weak stock that isn't diverse. They are from only three or four adult fish if I remember right. They threw a bunch of juveniles in the river not expecting near the survival they got, therefore am overabundance if weak stock fish.
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Sounds like Lower Columbia is going to open soon. Will be announced today Im pretty sure
Where did you get this info?
That would be awesome too!
Can't say but it was a very reliable source that is heavily involved in fisheries.
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Meeting is tomorrow about lower river fishery.
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Meeting is tomorrow about lower river fishery.
I had today in my head. But tomorrow sounds right.
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Where is the lower river fishery proposed for? i've never done it (except for over size) and would like to give it a shot.
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Ive heard initial season will be Wauna power lines downstream. With 2 other seasons later on extending upriver.
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Sweet deal!! Anyone got ideas where some good holes good be found?
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I can tell you that there is a very good spot exactly 1.2 miles above the Wauna deadline. CnR two weeks ago was slow but produced some very fat and fresh keeper size fish. It's my go to. Dang
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Ugh!..... been waiting a long time for a lower/mid keeper fishery to come back! Fingers crossed.
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Ugh!..... been waiting a long time for a lower/mid keeper fishery to come back! Fingers crossed.
Me too, been a few looooooooong years waiting.
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Meeting is postponed until next week.
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State is having a tough time finding em in the lower river... :bash: :bash:
Sturg question for you guys:
Why do you think they document so little sturg predation below BON when they use to document a bunch??
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State is having a tough time finding em in the lower river... :bash: :bash:
Simple solution, open the lower river for a weekend test fishery with mandatory same day reporting at the docks, "fishermen" won't have a problem finding them. :twocents:
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Roosevelt keeper .. Been a fun fishery . To bad it could close after this year due to people taking way over the limit. I now know of 3 different occurrences of Russians taking over the limit. One boat had 17 sturgeon !
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2FD7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg&hash=d9507ea73be1f8928363a0cf2c02012b03259c66) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/D7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg.html)
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Roosevelt keeper .. Been a fun fishery . To bad it could close after this year due to people taking way over the limit. I now know of 3 different occurrences of Russians taking over the limit. One boat had 17 sturgeon !
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2FD7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg&hash=d9507ea73be1f8928363a0cf2c02012b03259c66) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/D7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg.html)
Nice fish! Hope you reported the Russians over limit and hull #'s.
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We didn't see them .. That was from talking with wdfw and hatchery workers .
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Roosevelt keeper .. Been a fun fishery . To bad it could close after this year due to people taking way over the limit. I now know of 3 different occurrences of Russians taking over the limit. One boat had 17 sturgeon !
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2FD7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg&hash=d9507ea73be1f8928363a0cf2c02012b03259c66) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/D7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg.html)
Nice fish you launch at Kettle?
When people are caught over the limit arrest them plain and simple.
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Roosevelt keeper .. Been a fun fishery . To bad it could close after this year due to people taking way over the limit. I now know of 3 different occurrences of Russians taking over the limit. One boat had 17 sturgeon !
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2FD7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg&hash=d9507ea73be1f8928363a0cf2c02012b03259c66) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/D7482067-D8C0-4B00-B6D3-602734E39FF2_zpsonispoeo.jpg.html)
Wonder how many they killed when there wasn't even a season at all? :bash:
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We launched at kettle .. My brother talked to wdfw yesterday and they are looking for a guy who took 25 sturgeon !
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What kind of bait are you using? I've never fished for them before, now that it's open so close to home I thought I would give it a try.
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What kind of bait are you using? I've never fished for them before, now that it's open so close to home I thought I would give it a try.
Pickled herring has been good
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Going to the coast for a graduation and will hit a few bait stores tomorrow. Since Sturgeon opened here you can't find any weights or terminal tackle to speak of. The Elephant is about cleaned out of sinkers.
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Going to the coast for a graduation and will hit a few bait stores tomorrow. Since Sturgeon opened here you can't find any weights or terminal tackle to speak of. The Elephant is about cleaned out of sinkers.
I'm glad I didn't yardsale my plunking wts and sliders when I moved back home, my down rigger rods should work just fine.
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Going to the coast for a graduation and will hit a few bait stores tomorrow. Since Sturgeon opened here you can't find any weights or terminal tackle to speak of. The Elephant is about cleaned out of sinkers.
I'm glad I didn't yardsale my plunking wts and sliders when I moved back home, my down rigger rods should work just fine.
:tup: Last weekend I watched folks fishing with 7 1/2 trout rods and reels I would guess could be spooled in the first half of a run tossing 3oz of lead and 14 LB test. I did hope that they had hooked up. :chuckle: :chuckle:
This has a large following right now. I would guess as the water comes up it might get a bit harder for some folks to reach them.
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what's wrong with a sock full of sand and a breakaway
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I've got my halibut rod w cannon balls too. :chuckle:
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Sounds like a good time.
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what's wrong with a sock full of sand and a breakaway
Seems like a lot of work to do laundry. :dunno:
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I don't think it matters what's being used for bait .ive been using herring . My brother been using smelt and herring. I know one guy landed 24 one day with nigh crawlers , talked to another using whole Kokanee , salmon bellies and so on
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We launched at kettle .. My brother talked to wdfw yesterday and they are looking for a guy who took 25 sturgeon !
If they could put an end to the greed, we'd have a year catch&keep fishery again. We the fisherman spend more time out there an need report these scum that don't play by the rules :twocents:
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:tup: Last weekend I watched folks fishing with 7 1/2 trout rods and reels I would guess could be spooled in the first half of a run tossing 3oz of lead and 14 LB test. I did hope that they had hooked up. :chuckle: :chuckle:
This has a large following right now. I would guess as the water comes up it might get a bit harder for some folks to reach them.
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Haha yeah we witnessed lots of people using salmon tackle also and that wasn't working out for them very well either :chuckle: Watched one boat take nearly an hour to land a 30 incher. Oh and trying to watch boaters anchor in minimal current was quite comical as well. :chuckle: Hope they never try anchoring in real current or they'll be in big trouble
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We did pretty well, everyone except me landed one or 2. Lots of boats and fisherman, parking at the launch was cram packed.
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Anybody hitting the walleye after sturgeon fishing?
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Anybody hitting the walleye after sturgeon fishing?
I will tomorrow
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Sturgeon now closed on the lower Columbia.
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My first sturgeon 41 1/2" my buddy's was 51". We ended up with 8 walleye too.
That is Awesome!
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My first sturgeon 41 1/2" my buddy's was 51". We ended up with 8 walleye too.
Well Played. :tup:
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Weekend was great for sturgeon ! Daughter got to reel in 5.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2F2B558329-E6BE-4925-B193-004E8F5AC02B_zpstddgnzi3.jpg&hash=0c7ad86423dda81ec06da5634fdad7be23f38491) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/2B558329-E6BE-4925-B193-004E8F5AC02B_zpstddgnzi3.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2FAC94FDC4-6D04-44C8-8C24-108EAFD67A27_zpsfk7nqtxj.jpg&hash=da13362d009e17a47c794c83400f79b59486c0c3) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/AC94FDC4-6D04-44C8-8C24-108EAFD67A27_zpsfk7nqtxj.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2FA6F69784-1883-4070-AF8B-D48D8C0E7A8A_zpsrk8bgp9o.jpg&hash=e4867e29603ffdf209dd397364c08981d931c8eb) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/A6F69784-1883-4070-AF8B-D48D8C0E7A8A_zpsrk8bgp9o.jpg.html)
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I pulled my first pictures because the location was on one of them :yike: here they are without locations.
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That looks like your boat could get a bit sporty if the wind comes up.
But Nice fish. :tup:
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That looks like your boat could get a bit sporty if the wind comes up.
But Nice fish. :tup:
it was fun bucking the wind back to the boat ramp, 4ft wind waves, it rides nice deep v hull, 1977 hewescraft.
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Man that looks like a blast!!
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OK......... I've got to ask. I'm not looking for anyone's spot. Just wondering the depth you guys are fishing?
I've got property on the lake and am willing to trade a Turkey for a good tip. Thanks
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It seems to me that the success so many people had fishing for 5 days for a fish that they haven't gotten to target for years, should just make that many more of us realize that the fish biologists in both Washington and Oregon really haven't got a clue how many or what sizes of sturgeon are in or where they are in the Columbia?
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Certain places we are catching them in 45'- 150'
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I will be out bobbin around the next couple of days. If you see me :hello:
Fishing in something like this. :chuckle:
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Nice! More Pink Boat Chronicles.
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OK......... I've got to ask. I'm not looking for anyone's spot. Just wondering the depth you guys are fishing?
I've got property on the lake and am willing to trade a Turkey for a good tip. Thanks
How can someone have a spot on a moving body of water? If you get up there and have trouble seeing a spot just look for the cluster of buoy balls. :chuckle: :chuckle: I haven't ever seen that many on the river this far up. Find the buoy balls and you should be fairly close.
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Not real hard to figure out where guys are catching sturgeon :chuckle: there was 27 boats together Saturday
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I'll be there in the morning leaving at 4 am.
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It was a long grind, our lines were in the water by 5:30am in 80 ft of water were we caught our fish last Saturday. After moving several times I saw a sturgeon jump out of the water, we moved to the spot 44 ft of water. Within 20 mins. my buddy caught his first sturgeon. 45 1/2" 25.5 lbs. Time was 1:30 pm. I caught my first one for the day after we moved wasn't legal the time was 5:15 pm. I caught 2 move within 30 mins. Both legal but Im looking for a bigger one for my second fish. 44 1/2" was the biggest one.It was a long day in my 12' boat.
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I'll be there in the morning leaving at 4 am.
I'm thinking if you got to the launch at 4 a.m. you were late. :yike: We fished Friday an got to the launch at about 7 and it was already full and folks were parking on the grass. I have never seen my launch of choice full unless it's a major holiday. But knowing this was the governor's cup weekend and since Sturgeon fever has struck the northeast not surprised. Thursday night running north the amount of boats coming back was amazing. Fishing Buddy and I spent most of the day on the river. WE picked up one and got an undersized.
Figured that Saturday was going to be a zoo we would hit the water early. Since we only have about a 25 minute run to the launch 5:30 would make us golden or so I thought. Pulled into the lot and it was full already. :dunno: :dunno:
We squeezed into a spot and went out and got anchored up for the day. well before the start of the walleye derby. I have been a non-paying contestant in them before and have an idea of the circus. :chuckle: Not to be disappointed around 6:30 we looked down river and saw the spray of large motor money boats heading north.
I can imagine what the derby fisherman were thinking they have never had to deal with the sturgeon Armada. there must have been a dozen boats anchored with us. They came up river at "Speed" and went thru us and never slowed down went between myself and another boat with 150 distance between us. Had 6 boats do the same thing even though they could have changed course and went around.
I picked 2 fish in 2 days so I am done for the year. :'( :'( :'( :'(
Fishing buddy still needs to get busy and Perhaps my kids if I can talk them to come over. :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Mulling over starting another saga of the "Pink Boat" Chronicles
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We jumped in at Marcus there was a couple of pickups parked there with empty trailers but there was no one there when we launched nice and easy.
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Took the boys up to Marcus on Saturday and we managed to pull one in from the shore and missed another one.
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While your cleaning the Sturgeon keep and eye out for these guys.
Both fish I cut up had these in the meat. Might not hurt you but if you ate one you could become part of the research project.
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I didn't realize y'all were fishing that far up. I was thinking about hunters or Gifford area. Is that a bad idea?
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No sturgeon by Gifford or Hunters...........None ..Zero.... Nada.. :hello:
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While your cleaning the Sturgeon keep and eye out for these guys.
Both fish I cut up had these in the meat. Might not hurt you but if you ate one you could become part of the research project.
Don't quote me on this, but I think some of these may be Canadian hatchery fish. I seem to remember some talk about a hatchery up there when we used to stay at the upper Columbia rv park. Around the 4th of July used to be good right behind that place for hooking into a few.
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No sturgeon by Gifford or Hunters...........None ..Zero.... Nada.. :hello:
If there are None around Gifford or Hunter's then why is the Spokane arm open? There are fish all through out the pool.
You could be fibbin!! :chuckle: :chuckle:
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Fished the governors cup walleye tournament last week at kettle. There were a $#$%%# ton of sturgeon fisherman and they all seemed to have fish. Anywhere from just below the bridge up is where the action was.
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Fished the governors cup walleye tournament last week at kettle. There were a $#$%%# ton of sturgeon fisherman and they all seemed to have fish. Anywhere from just below the bridge up is where the action was.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
I can imagine the strong language used by the wally guys when they had to maneuver around the Armada. Since they have had the water to themselves for so long.
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Didn't need channel markers, that's for sure :chuckle:
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There was less sturgeon boats out Saturday than there was last Saturday. I think some people just like to complain.
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There was less sturgeon boats out Saturday than there was last Saturday. I think some people just like to complain.
I was offended by the sturgeon boats. :dunno:
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There was less sturgeon boats out Saturday than there was last Saturday. I think some people just like to complain.
I was offended by the sturgeon boats. :dunno:
:chuckle:
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We lanched at Napoleon seemed like that's where all the walley guys were we were skunked on the sturgon
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Umm, offended by the sturgeon boats. No. I think its great that its open. they don't fish the same water i'm fishing walleye in.
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Umm, offended by the sturgeon boats. No. I think its great that its open. they don't fish the same water i'm fishing walleye in.
I will start Wally's and northern's once the weed lines get grown up just got the water up in the last week.
So while you where chasing money did you place?
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There was a definite patern to the walleye with the water being down about 5 ft. It was also better fishing than the last couple years both in numbers and average size.
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I'm offended by the name Governor's Cup because I really don't care for our governor.
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I took my brother in law out yesterday for his first sturgeon trip ever, he punched a 45" and caught 2 more. I lost 3 that spit the hook. Then I tied into one that almost spooled me. When I set the hook it was like coming up against the brick wall, then it was like hooking into a Mack truck he just took off running we pulled the anchor and tried to chase him but he kept running almost took all the line off my real I just kept pinching the drag down and finally broke him off.
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I'm not getting it done, been out 3 times and only got 1 to the boat and it spit the hook.
I found out I was baiting the hook totally wrong, so I have high hopes next time I go out.
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Brother and I have landed 40+ now.. What a fun fishery ! Leaving my last card spot open for yhat 58" +.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2F4277BC7E-749F-4BA5-BCCB-BC58D8B8BD43_zpsvxm82rda.jpg&hash=647417263a5329454adbc5c13ff00722806f857b) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/4277BC7E-749F-4BA5-BCCB-BC58D8B8BD43_zpsvxm82rda.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Ffishing%2F0E42122A-B97B-49D7-8B89-9D1AC512D96E_zps3xcntwgw.jpg&hash=40093755b0992a674760eb70c323928543419afd) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/fishing/0E42122A-B97B-49D7-8B89-9D1AC512D96E_zps3xcntwgw.jpg.html)
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rumor mill say's they're going to close it at the end of the month
I hope it's false
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Talked to fish and game 2 weeks ago and he said nothing of closing it early. Makes no sense to close that section while upper opens aug 1 and flood that fishery with anglers. I have a feeling someone will die on that upper fishery. Better know what your doing up there!
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Talked to fish and game 2 weeks ago and he said nothing of closing it early. Makes no sense to close that section while upper opens aug 1 and flood that fishery with anglers. I have a feeling someone will die on that upper fishery. Better know what your doing up there!
:yeah:
Couple spots a guy could tag a rock even in the main channel. There's gonna be a few toasted lowers for sure
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rumor mill say's they're going to close it at the end of the month
I hope it's false
Does your source have a count of what has been harvested?
Talked to fish and game 2 weeks ago and he said nothing of closing it early. Makes no sense to close that section while upper opens aug 1 and flood that fishery with anglers. I have a feeling someone will die on that upper fishery. Better know what your doing up there!
That's a whole different playing field up there. :yike: :yike:
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Sorry that's all I got and I didn't talk to anyone directly, so take it with a grain of salt.
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We pulled in 6 yesterday. My biddy's first sturgeon was 48" he punched that one and caught and released 3 more, one was 55+. I caught 2 one was just legal the other was 45+". I'm looking for a 55+ to punch my second fish. BTW, we were the only boat where we were fishing and after we left the anchor buoy chasing my buddy's first sturgeon 7 boats showed up. Some guy played a fish for over an hour, he had way to small of a pole, looked like a river salmon rod. He just hald on and they chased it all over the place, I think they spooked off the sturgeon in the area because the bite just stopped, these guys were all over they went by me 3 times. I hope it didn't die after they finally let it go.