Bonneville Pool Will Close to Sturgeon Retention Feb. 18 for Columbia River Area Fishermen
OutdoorHub 02.08.12
Oregon and Washington fishery managers announced today the closure of sturgeon retention in the Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam, effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. Catch-and-release angling will remain open.
The mid-February closure is projected to leave a balance of approximately 900 white sturgeon from the 2,000 harvest guideline for the Bonneville Pool recreational fishery. The intent is to use the remaining quota for a summer retention season proposed during a December public meeting in The Dalles.
“Catches in early January were excellent but have since slowed allowing us the opportunity to consider a split season similar to the one in 2011 that seemed popular with fishers,” according to John North, manager of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Columbia River Fisheries Program.
Sturgeon retention fisheries in The Dalles and John Day reservoirs are not affected by this closure. Through January 31, catches are at 9 percent and 15 percent of the harvest guidelines of 300 and 500 fish, respectively, in these two reservoirs. Monthly sampling summaries and catch estimates for these fisheries can be found on found the WDFW website.
