The white sturgeon is a large, prehistoric fish species native to Washington waters, found in rivers, coastal areas, estuaries, and Puget Sound.
White sturgeon biology and abundance
White Sturgeon are native to the West coast of North America. There are three primary spawning populations with access to the marine environment, including the Fraser River, Columbia River, and Sacramento-San Joaquin populations.
White Sturgeon are amphidromous, meaning they can travel between freshwater and saltwater but it’s not a requirement to complete their life cycle. A majority of white sturgeon are thought to spend most of their time within the freshwater environment, however, a segment of each of population inevitably heads out to sea to distribute along the various coastal bays and estuaries that make up the West coast.
White Sturgeon are long-lived fish, and some individuals live to be 100 years or older. In the Lower Columbia River, White Sturgeon typically reach sexual maturity when they grow to approximately 6 feet in length, or around 25 years old. Females are estimated to spawn every 4-6 years, and males are estimated to spawn every 2-3 years. In part because of their exceptional life history, sturgeon are carefully managed and harvests closely monitored in the Columbia River, and the species is identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need under Washington’s State Wildlife Action Plan.
A separate species, green sturgeon are wide-ranging migrants, spawning in California and southern Oregon rivers, appearing in Washington's coastal estuaries, and bays throughout the summer months. There are two distinct population segments (DPS) of green sturgeon; of which, the Southern DPS of green sturgeon is listed as a threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act. The two populations of green sturgeon intermingle within Washington waters and are visually indistinguishable from each other. It is only by analyzing their genetic information or tracking these fish back to their natal river that we can separate them by population.
Throughout the summer months, anglers may incidentally encounter green sturgeon in Washington's coastal tributaries and estuaries; however, fishing for and retaining green sturgeon is prohibited due to their protected status.
Statewide Permanent Regulations
Notice: Anglers may not fish for or retain green sturgeon.
WDFW works with state and tribal co-managers to set sturgeon harvest limits on the lower Columbia River, and state fishery rules are established via the Columbia River Compact and Joint State process. Sign up for Columbia River fishery notices to receive updates on sturgeon and other fisheries throughout the year.
Some sturgeon fisheries in the Columbia River are announced only through emergency rule. Be sure to check the current emergency rules or use one of our online, mobile, or phone options to verify if fisheries are open. Oregon anglers can also reference ODFW's Fishing Report for recent updates.
When the season is open, the following rules apply to each section of the Columbia River. However, please note that some of these fisheries may not open every year:
- Columbia River from Bonneville Dam downstream: Catch-and-release only. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons unless specifically noted in special rules.
- Columbia River from Bonneville Dam upstream to McNary Dam including tributaries (when open for retention, which typically occurs Jan. 1): Min. size 38" fork length in waters downstream of The Dalles Dam, and min. size 43" fork length in waters upstream of The Dalles Dam. Max. size 54" fork length. Daily limit 1. Possession limit: is 2 daily limits in a fresh, frozen or processed form. Annual limit 2 sturgeon statewide per license year (April 1-March 31). Unless specifically noted in special rules, open only during open game fish or salmon seasons.
- Columbia River from McNary Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, Snake River, coastal, and Puget Sound waters including their tributaries: Catch-and-release only. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons unless specifically noted in special rules.
- Columbia River from Chief Joseph Dam upstream, including Lake Roosevelt: closed.
Additional Regulations:
- Annual white sturgeon limit is 2 fish even if the angler holds both a Washington and Oregon license.
- Anglers may continue to fish catch-and-release after retaining a daily limit.
- After an annual limit has been retained, catch-and-release fishing is allowed in waters open to catch-and-release fishing.
- Catch Record Cards are required statewide to fish for sturgeon.
- Only one single-point barbless hook and bait is allowed when fishing for sturgeon. In the field, eggs must be retained with intact carcass of fish from which they came. Night closure in effect for all sturgeon. Any sturgeon not to be retained must be released immediately. Sturgeon over 55" fork length cannot be removed totally or in part from the water.
Columbia River, below Bonneville Dam
Area Regulations:
WDFW works with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to set sturgeon harvest limits on the lower Columbia River, and state fishery rules are established via the Columbia River Compact and Joint State process; sign up for Columbia River fishery notices to receive updates on sturgeon and other Columbia River fisheries throughout the year.
Sturgeon fisheries in this portion of the Columbia River are announced through emergency rule. View current emergency rules or use one of our many online, mobile, or phone options to see if fisheries are open. Oregon anglers may also reference ODFW's Fishing Report for recent updates.
Retention sturgeon angling downstream of Bonneville Dam is closed for both commercial and recreational fisheries in 2024. Permanent regulations allow for recreational catch-and-release sturgeon angling all year, except angling for sturgeon is prohibited May 1 through August 31 within the sanctuary areas designated below Bonneville Dam and Willamette Falls.
Population Status:
Due to low survival and recruitment of juvenile white sturgeon over the past decade, the proportion of the population comprised of juvenile fish has continued to decline below the conservation status threshold (60% juveniles) for four consecutive years. Since 2010, the overall population abundance estimate has decreased, driven by the decline in the juvenile portion of the population. However, the abundance of non-juvenile fish (96 cm and larger) has remained relatively stable, with estimates ranging from around 115,000 fish in 2010 to 92,000 fish in 2023.
While data supports the conclusion that the population could support limited harvest, it has become difficult to prosecute retention fisheries with meaningful harvest opportunity within the legal-size abundance. Therefore, Oregon and Washington Columbia River fishery staff are not recommending retention of white sturgeon for either commercial or recreational fisheries downstream of Bonneville Dam in 2024.
View 2024 lower Columbia River white sturgeon fishery update and stock status (PDF)
Columbia River, Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam
Area Regulations:
WDFW works with state and tribal co-managers to set sturgeon harvest limits on the lower Columbia River, and state fishery rules are established via the Columbia River Compact and Joint State process; sign up for Columbia River fishery notices to receive updates on sturgeon and other fisheries throughout the year.
Permanent regulations open this area/Zone 6 to recreational retention on Jan. 1; however, open dates for sturgeon fisheries in this portion of the Columbia River may be adjusted to accommodate a small guideline. Anglers are advised to check for updates to the fishery, which will be announced through emergency rule. View current emergency rules or use one of our many online, mobile, or phone options to see if fisheries are open. Oregon anglers may also reference ODFW's Fishing Report for recent updates.
Sturgeon Annual Reports (BPA): The Dalles (2020) (PDF), Bonneville (2021) (PDF), John Day (2022) (PDF)
Recreational Harvest, guidelines and preliminary harvest estimates, last updated on November 13, 2024.
| Area/Pool | Open Retention Period | Estimated Harvest | % of Guideline | Guideline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | Jan. 1–Jan. 29, 2025, Wed and Sat only. | 675 | ||
| The Dalles | Jan. 1–Jan. 29, 2025, Wed and Sat only. | 275 | ||
| John Day | Jan. 1–Apr 30, 2025, 7 days per week | 105 |
Columbia River, Lake Roosevelt
Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon fishing seasons
The white sturgeon fishing season in Lake Roosevelt in northeast Washington changed to a fall fishery in 2023 in an effort to reduce stress from warm water temperatures on sturgeon caught and released due to not being legal harvest size. The new fishery runs from Sept. 16 to Nov. 30.
2024 Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon Regulations
- Sturgeon season: Sept. 16 – Nov. 30, 2024.
- Open from Grand Coulee Dam to Canadian border.
- Fish 53-63 inches (fork length) can be retained.
- Daily limit: one fish.
- Annual limit (statewide): two fish.
- No C&R fishing after daily limit has been taken (same day).
- Anglers must cease fishing after the annual limit has been taken.
- Catch Record Card required (CRC code 549).
- Closed to night fishing.
- Other statewide rules apply.
Fishing rules are subject to change. Please see the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules for additional rules and opportunities. Anglers can be notified of any in-season rule changes as they are announced by signing up for email notifications, downloading the Fish Washington mobile app, or visiting the WDFW emergency rules webpage.
Puget Sound and Coastal Areas
Puget Sound and coastal white sturgeon
While the Columbia river is considered the primary spawning population of White Sturgeon in Washington, they may also be found in Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound, including large rivers and connected lakes in these areas. Not much is known about sturgeon populations in these areas. Catch Record Card data from retention fisheries occurring prior to the 2014 closure, indicate that white sturgeon were caught in the Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Skagit, Chehalis, Naselle, and Bear rivers. Historical commercial catch and bycatch data indicate white sturgeon may also be found out in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. Additional observational reports point to occasional sturgeon sightings in South Sound and smaller rivers along the Washington Coast.
White sturgeon have periodically been sighted or washed up deceased in Lake Washington, most recently in September 2023, and are sometimes documented moving through the Ballard Locks.
In March 2009, an estimated 1,500 white sturgeon were documented within Port Susan Bay’s shallow channels during a large tidal swing that left them temporarily stranded.
WDFW white sturgeon research and monitoring in Puget Sound and coastal areas
WDFW has conducted sturgeon monitoring in the Columbia River basin for several decades to better understand the populations of this fascinating and long-lived fish, but the Department has lacked the resources to monitor in other areas, including Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound.
Recent biodiversity funding has enabled the expansion of these surveys into the Puget Sound and coastal areas. Through this funding, WDFW has hired a biologist and a research scientist to design and implement these surveys and plans to hire two seasonal technician positions to assist with field data collection starting in 2025.
These expanded white sturgeon surveys will give WDFW much better data on the species’ distribution, abundance, size and age structure, and spawning in coastal and Puget Sound areas. This improved data will allow WDFW to better assess the conservation needs of sturgeon in these areas and will help inform future management of this species
Sturgeon harvest and fishery in coastal areas and Puget Sound
Currently there is no recreational harvest of white sturgeon allowed in Washington's inland or coastal waters. However, catch and release only fisheries are open, when the season is open for salmon or game fish; except in the Snohomish River from the mouth to Highway 9 Bridge where it is open year-round for catch and release only for white sturgeon. Catch and release sturgeon fisheries in Washington's coastal estuaries and Puget Sound provide a unique opportunity for anglers to encounter white sturgeon in marine environments and have developed a dedicated following among local anglers. Anglers who catch white sturgeon in these areas are required to immediately release the fish. Anglers are also encouraged to report sturgeon mortalities to WDFW.