Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon agreed Tuesday to extend the recreational white sturgeon fishery on the stretch of Columbia River between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam — commonly known as The Dalles Pool — through the end of February.
Meanwhile, the sturgeon fishery in Bonneville Pool (between Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam) will close beginning Sunday, Jan. 30.
As of Jan. 23, 471 legal-sized sturgeon had been retained from the 675-fish guideline in Bonneville Pool, representing about 70 percent of the total.
Catch rates at Bonneville Pool had picked up recently, according to Laura Heironimus, sturgeon lead with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
“The weather contributed to a slow start to the fishery this year, but catch rates have increased in the second half of the month,” Heironimus said. “Even with this year’s increase in the guideline from 500 fish to 675 fish, we estimate that the guideline will likely be met by early next week, so we’re announcing this closure now to ensure we can meet our conservation goals.”
In The Dalles Pool, 60 legal-sized sturgeon had been retained from the 190-fish guideline, about 32 percent of the total. That fishery is expected to remain open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Feb. 28, or until the guideline is met.
John Day Pool also remains open daily, with just 14 legal-size sturgeon harvested from the 105-fish guideline as of Jan. 23. That’s about 13 percent of the allowable catch there.
Bonneville Pool will remain open for catch-and-release fishing following the closure, and The Dalles Pool will remain open for catch-and-release fishing on days not open for retention.
Fishing for sturgeon at night is prohibited.
Fishery reports
WALLEYE
Bonneville Pool — Eight boats/15 rods kept 31 walleye and released six walleye.
The Dalles Pool — Two bank anglers kept two walleye; 14 boats/27 rods kept 22 walleye.
John Day Pool — 33 boats/86 rods kept 84 walleye and released one walleye.
