WDFW Lake Roosevelt White Sturgeon Meeting in Colville

[PA BEN]

I attended this meeting last night in Colville and I have to say, it was a very positive informative meeting. Unlike all of the other WFWD meetings I’ve attended. So, keep your rants to yourself, unless you attended the meeting. I’m sure it will be available online if you want to learn about this fishery. They went into great detail of the year-by-year hatchery program, what they did then and what they are doing now. They went into the Colville Tribe program, and how they are working together. They know the age of the hatchery fish by the chips in them and are monitoring their size and the why’s, on the different slot sizes by year. And a very good explanation of why the fall season, (Sept. 15th to Nov. 30) vs the June through September season. I’m all for keeping this fishery not only for us, but for our kids and grandkids. I personally appreciate having the opportunity to fish for these assume fish.   

[Angry Perch]

Any information on the average age of a slot fish?
Interesting they have C&R planned for 2029 and 2030. Bad year classes?

[PA BEN]

Any information on the average age of a slot fish?
Interesting they have C&R planned for 2029 and 2030. Bad year classes?

I do know the a 51” sturgeon is about 12 years old, a fish checker told us about a chipped fish he checked. They have met their goal of thinning out the hatchery fish raised from eggs. Now they net fry and rase them in the hatchery and release them at a survivable size. Those fish that are stronger, almost wild stock are reaching the lower end of the 50” slot. That’s why the increase in the lower end and every 2 years after. The C&R years is to not retain them at all. There my never be a decent spawn survival rate ever, but this will insure that there will be wild spawners to harvest fry from for years to come. Like I said a very informative meeting, and interesting to see the reason behind their plan. We can guess and bitch all we want, because we stay in our ignorance. It makes total sense to me why they are doing what they are doing.     

[baldopepper]

That program has been a real success story, and the people I've met involved in it are very dedicated and knowledgeable.  Cooperation between the tribe and wdfw should be used as a model for other fisheries programs in the state

[Angry Perch]

Any information on the average age of a slot fish?
Interesting they have C&R planned for 2029 and 2030. Bad year classes?

I do know the a 51” sturgeon is about 12 years old, a fish checker told us about a chipped fish he checked. They have met their goal of thinning out the hatchery fish raised from eggs. Now they net fry and rase them in the hatchery and release them at a survivable size. Those fish that are stronger, almost wild stock are reaching the lower end of the 50” slot. That’s why the increase in the lower end and every 2 years after. The C&R years is to not retain them at all. There my never be a decent spawn survival rate ever, but this will insure that there will be wild spawners to harvest fry from for years to come. Like I said a very informative meeting, and interesting to see the reason behind their plan. We can guess and bitch all we want, because we stay in our ignorance. It makes total sense to me why they are doing what they are doing.   

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the info, and for attending.

[22shtur]

Thanks for the info.
Why a fall season rather than the summer one?

[dwils233]

Huh, I saw that on the Stevens County Commission agenda. if it had been a few hours earlier I would have stopped in. Glad it was informative!

[PA BEN]

Thanks for the info.
Why a fall season rather than the summer one?

They are loosing the big spawners that they harvest the fry from. So in order to protect them that moved the season to cooler water temps and the spawn is over. The stresses of being caught will sometimes stop them from spawning.

[Ridgeratt]

Isn't that when they used to open the river above China Bend?  I think that was because they figured the spawners had finished spawning. Did they close the hatchery they were using in Canada?  Did they give any idea as to what age group do they start spawning?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Great info! Thanks!

[PA BEN]

Isn't that when they used to open the river above China Bend?  I think that was because they figured the spawners had finished spawning. Did they close the hatchery they were using in Canada?  Did they give any idea as to what age group do they start spawning?

It will be open up to the Canadian border, they did say the size of spawners, but I don't recall. Sorry

[Ridgeratt]

Isn't that when they used to open the river above China Bend?  I think that was because they figured the spawners had finished spawning. Did they close the hatchery they were using in Canada?  Did they give any idea as to what age group do they start spawning?

It will be open up to the Canadian border, they did say the size of spawners, but I don't recall. Sorry

Since every fish has a pitt tag in it. Did Donnelly say just how many keepers are still in the pool? Last time I talked to him I thought he had said less than 2k. In May I might get a chance to ask him again.

[pianoman9701]

Very interesting info.

[HntnFsh]

I've read 15 plus years to reach spawning age. Then every 2 to 11 years after that.

[PA BEN]

Isn't that when they used to open the river above China Bend?  I think that was because they figured the spawners had finished spawning. Did they close the hatchery they were using in Canada?  Did they give any idea as to what age group do they start spawning?

It will be open up to the Canadian border, they did say the size of spawners, but I don't recall. Sorry

Since every fish has a pitt tag in it. Did Donnelly say just how many keepers are still in the pool? Last time I talked to him I thought he had said less than 2k. In May I might get a chance to ask him again.

They want to harvest 500 a year.