Keeper Sturgeon
The Columbia River has the largest population of white sturgeon in the world. If you want to catch sturgeon and it is on your bucket list the Columbia River is the place you will want to visit. The keeper season when you can retain them is a limited season. We fish different sections of the Columbia River at different times of the year when each zone is open to retain them. January through the middle of April we are fishing above the first and second dams on the Columbia river that offer some great fishing in late February through the middle of April. This time of year is the end of our winter season going into Spring which is our colder time of year along with our rainy season. We run covers on our boats and have heaters onboard for your comfort. You can expect 20 hook ups per trip during this time of year.
The lower Columbia River below Bonneville Dam which is the first dam on the river has been closed for 4 years to retain them due to a sea lion predation problem the past 15 years. However by closing it the population has rebounded and for the first time they have gave us a 6 day season in June and more days to come in September and October. The June fishery is locate near the mouth of the Columbia in the estuary and offers some of the best Sturgeon fishing around during this time. We typically target these fish in shallow sand flats and deeper water on low tides that forces them back into the deeper troughs. You can expect to have over 20-40 hook ups of arm burning line peeling action. We anchor fish for Sturgeon with our bait resting on the river bottom where the fish are feeding. This time of year is late Spring which is the beginning of our drier sunny season with warmer temperatures in the high 60’s to low 70’s.
We run two power boats for our Sturgeon trips that are 24 and 26 feet in length. These boats are built and set up with the most current equipment to get you into the best fishing grounds so we can assure you the best trip possible. We cover over 300 miles of the Columbia River from the mouth up stream to The McNary dam chasing these prehistoric fish at different times of the year to give you the best trip possible. There is over 500,000 Sturgeon in the Columbia at all times. If you are looking for lots of action and sore arms, these trip are for you. We fish for Sturgeon year round running catch and release trips when we can’t retain them.
Trophy Sturgeon
(May-Oct)
If you have been looking for that fish to test your strength you have found it. The mighty sturgeon of the Columbia River as shown on the river monster TV show along with The Joy of Fishing show we did is the largest fresh water fish swimming today! Picture yourself waiting for a bite watching and staring at your rod tip while it is in the rod holder. You have the fighting belt on just in case your dream comes true and you will be ready, your rod tip starts to bend slowly and quickly gets more aggressive, you slowly pick up the rod out of the holder so the fish won’t feel you pick it up and drop the bait. During this time he is getting more aggressive eating the 5 pound shad we are using for bait pulling on the rod then I tell you to set the hook with all you have and when you do it almost jerks the rod out of your hand as you have both hands gripping the rod as tight as you can. Immediately you are hooked up, the line is screaming off the reel faster than you can imagine and it feels like the Trophy size sturgeon is trying to pull you out of the boat. The 8-12 foot fish jumps completely out of the water behind the boat and you suddenly tell yourself” What have I got myself into”. When this happens we have to release from my anchor system to allow us to chase this tough fighting strong fish for 30 minutes if not up to an hour or more depending on the size of the fish and your physical ability to with stand this fight with no rest. These fish will test your strength and will take all you have to give them and more! Finally after this exhausting battle you have landed a beautiful 8 foot 300 pound trophy Sturgeon! Imagine this could be you. These fish range from 6-12 feet in length and weighing up to 600 pounds if not more. Our record size fish to our boat is 14 feet weighing over 700 pounds.
This is not for the weak or timid! It is for the client that wants to have a great adventure. During this time of year you can expect the weather to be in the high 60’s and most average is in the 70-80’s by early June and will continue to warm up through the summer months. You will be fishing in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic area that offers some of the most pristine beauty with towering cliffs and ridges that climb up thousands of feet into the Cascade Mountain range. Some of our trips are on the eastside of the Cascade mountain range which is warmer and landscape is drier. I start fishing for trophy sturgeon in late May when the Shad run starts and you can have rain possibilities through June.
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Things to Bring:
Light rain gear with a hood and layered clothing is always best to have. We will be running to the fishing grounds and the hood makes it comfortable for you. On my sturgeon trips during the rainy season in Jan-April I do run a boat cover on my boats for your comfort. I also have heaters on board. Bring Camera, sunglasses and cell phone charged. I do have 12 volt port in my boat to charge electronic if needed. I usually have a cooler with waters and soft drinks. My drift boat trips I am limited so please request anything you need so I can assure you will have it and I don’t over pack.
I Will Provide:
Guided 8 our trip for Trophy Sturgeon. All the rods, tackle and bait is included. I do have different packages that include one day fishing licenses, sack lunches for $10, hot lunches for $15-20, vacuum packing fish and shipping service. I have shipping cooler boxes of all sizes available to sell you that air airline and UPS/FedEx approved for shipping your fish if needed. Shipping expense is at your own expense. I charge $2 per bag for vacuum packing, $20 packing/shipping charge if we are shipping it for you. My goal is to give you the best trip possible to make your trip more enjoyable.
