November 8, 2024
Action: Changes white sturgeon retention season structure from seven days per week, to two days per week.
Effective date: Jan. 1-Jan. 29, 2025.
Species affected: White sturgeon.
Location: Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam and all adjacent Washington tributaries.
Rules: Sturgeon retention is allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Minimum size is 38 inches fork length. Maximum size is 54 inches fork length. Daily limit is one. Catch‑and‑release fishing allowed on days closed to retention.
Reason for action: The two-day-per-week opening will help prolong the season in Bonneville Pool and allow managers to monitor catch rates more closely.
Additional information: Bonneville Pool remains open for catch-and-release sturgeon fishing on days when not open to retention, as do many other stretches of the Columbia River. In addition, the John Day Pool between John Day Dam and McNary Dam opens to sturgeon retention seven-days-per-week starting Jan. 1, 2025, following permanent rules.
Information contact: Southwest Washington Region, 360-696-6211.