Sturgeon anybody?

Here are the updated Regs for the new year.  Looks like the weather from The DAlles to Umatilla is going to be pretty good this weekend.  Anybody going out?

COLUMBIA RIVER RESERVOIRS, between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam
 Sturgeon creel sampling summaries and catch estimates from Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs can be found on the WDFW’s Southwest Washington Fishing Reports web page.

•The Sturgeon Management Task Force will meet January 21, 2015 to discuss and develop management recommendations for 2015 white sturgeon fisheries in Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day pools, including potential modifications to harvest guidelines based on updated population assessments.  In the interim, the following recreational harvest guidelines will be used (same as 2014):  1,100 in Bonneville Pool; 300 in The Dalles Pool; 500 in John Day Pool.

Bonneville Reservoir (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam)
•Effective Thursday January 1, 2015 – Sunday March 1, 2015, this section of the Columbia River will open to retention of white sturgeon seven days per week. The daily bag limit will be one sturgeon between 38 – 54 inches fork length.
•Staff will monitor the fishery in-season and recommend modifications if necessary to balance harvest between winter and summer seasons.

The Dalles Reservoir (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam)
•Effective January 1, 2015; this section of the Columbia River will open to retention of white sturgeon seven days per week until the guideline is met. The daily bag limit will be one sturgeon between 43 – 54 inches fork length.

John Day Reservoir (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam)
•Effective January 1, 2015, this section of the Columbia River will open to retention of white sturgeon seven days per week until the guideline is met. The daily bag limit will be one sturgeon between 43 – 54 inches fork length.

McNary Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington Border

•Under permanent regulations: ◦Effective January 1 - 31 and August 1 - December 31, retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in this section of the Columbia River.
◦Effective February 1 - July 31, this section of the Columbia River is open to retention of white sturgeon seven days per week. The daily bag limit is one sturgeon between 43 - 54 inches fork length.

We may head up that way this weekend.  Any suggestions on where to launch above Bonneville?  Oregon side? Washington Side?

I've only fished for them below McNary Dam.  I wouldn't really know where to go near The Dalles.

I know people fish for them at the mouth of the Dechutes, I just don't know if they are keeper size.

Scott catches monsters down by the mouth of the Deschutes.  At least that is what I was told.   

I'm guessing the old scientific method of "look where the powerboats are" might be a good place for me to start?

Was anybody interested in meeting up for this? 

I'm trying to decide if I want to go Sturgeon fishing or down to Hells Canyon for steelhead.  Either way is going to be a long cold drive for me.

the weather is looking warmer in The Dalles tomorrow compared to this side of the state.

I went to the mouth of the klick yesterday afternoon and hooked 1 more missed 2.another boat hooked lots of shakers with no keepers.

Re: location. Pretty much the mouth of any river/creek should have the right conditions for holding sturgeon this time of year, IMHO.

Also, how are the water flows for the Big C right now?  High, Low ?  I don't know a good site to check that out.

Also, how are the water flows for the Big C right now?  High, Low ?  I don't know a good site to check that out.

As it happens, i can help with that (it's my job...).  Check out our gages at

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current/?type=flow&group_key=basin_cd&search_site_no_station_nm=Columbia&site_no_name_select=station_nm

Jim

so it looks like flows are almost double the average for this time of year.....  hhhmmm  I was hoping that with this cold snap the levels would have come down.

I didn't get out today because of weather but I'm still interested in going tomorrow if anybody is interested.

LOL, this year isnt' turning out too good for me so far.  Wrecks on the freeway and possible ice storm tonight / tomorrow... looks like I'm postponing again.

Well I went out after the freezing rain burned off today.caught a keeper lost another and missed several.

Awesome