Sturgeon retention opened for Bonneville Pool

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The recreational fishery in the Bonneville Reservoir on the Columbia River opened to white sturgeon retention seven days per week, effective Jan. 1-Feb.10, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The Bonneville Reservoir is located on the Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam.

The reason for the action is to establish the winter-period white sturgeon retention season in the Bonneville Reservoir. Fishery managers determined that closing the fishery to sturgeon retention Feb. 11 will reserve about 850 fish for a summer retention season. This decision was made Dec. 18 at a joint Washington-Oregon public hearing.

The status of the fishery will be reviewed at a Joint Washington-Oregon public hearing scheduled for Jan. 30. Fishery managers will meet again in May to set dates for the summer retention season.



Catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon will still be allowed between Bonneville and The Dalles dams when retention is not allowed. The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between The Dalles Dam and McNary Dam opened to sturgeon retention Jan. 1 under permanent rules and will remain open until respective harvest guidelines for each reservoir are reached. The spawning sanctuaries from the Highway 395/I-82 Bridge upstream to McNary Dam and from the Rufus grain elevator upstream to John Day Dam will be closed to all sturgeon fishing May 1-July 31.

For more information, contact Dennis Gilliland, (360) 906-6733.

Fishermen must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change.

Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360) 796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.