2013 rules for Willamette and Columbia Rivers announced!

I talked to some folks at the show and was told you can count the number of springers caught on one hand.  I plan on hitting the water once fish start moving over the dam.

Don't wait to long they might not reach the dam

I have a report from a highly credible "eyes on" source that  two springers were caught this weekend between George Rodgers and the Cedar oak ramp on the Willy.  Local chatter among the "regulars" is that this brings the total for that stretch to five fish.

A slight change to the sturgeon rules.  The bag limit is up to two per year after April 1.  I think this was probably done to match Washington's rules.

STURGEON

Effective January 1-March 31, 2013, the annual bag limit for Oregon is one legal white sturgeon total for all zones statewide.
Effective April 1-December 31, 2013, the annual bag limit for Oregon is two legal white sturgeon total for all zones statewide.  All white sturgeon caught and retained during January 1-March 31, 2013 will count toward the annual limit for all zones statewide.
The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited at all times.
Anglers are limited to the use of one single-point barbless hook while angling for white sturgeon.
It is unlawful to use lamprey for bait.
In all areas, catch-and-release sturgeon angling is allowed during non-retention periods, unless otherwise indicated.
The lower Willamette River (including Multnomah Channel and the Gilbert River) sturgeon regulation updates can be found under the Willamette Zone.

Like it.

Not in the kayak, but a pretty decent bite in the Rainer vicinity yesterday.  We were in a line with 2 other boats - all fishing wrapped kwikfish.  10 to 12 FOW.  4 fish boated, and about 4 other bites where the fish came off for the 3 boats.  Saw another fish caught by a boat trolling near us as we were getting ready to head out.

This is my 18 lb buck from yesterday which is being cooked tonight.....

A slight change to the sturgeon rules.  The bag limit is up to two per year after April 1.  I think this was probably done to match Washington's rules.

STURGEON

Effective January 1-March 31, 2013, the annual bag limit for Oregon is one legal white sturgeon total for all zones statewide.
Effective April 1-December 31, 2013, the annual bag limit for Oregon is two legal white sturgeon total for all zones statewide.  All white sturgeon caught and retained during January 1-March 31, 2013 will count toward the annual limit for all zones statewide.
The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited at all times.
Anglers are limited to the use of one single-point barbless hook while angling for white sturgeon.
It is unlawful to use lamprey for bait.
In all areas, catch-and-release sturgeon angling is allowed during non-retention periods, unless otherwise indicated.
The lower Willamette River (including Multnomah Channel and the Gilbert River) sturgeon regulation updates can be found under the Willamette Zone.

Just don't forget that the willamette is closed except for the few days in July.  Two fish is awesome.  Guess that rules out pre-fishing for the ORC