Dalles Pool Closing For Sturgeon Retention After Hot Start To Winter Season

By Andy Walgamott January 4, 2021 HEADLINES 0 Comments

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

The recreational sturgeon season in The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam) will close effective tonight (11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4), under rules announced today by fishery managers from Oregon and Washington.

KATIE CRAIG SHOWS OFF A NICE COLUMBIA GORGE STURGEON, CAUGHT LAST FEBRUARY. WHILE RETENTION CLOSED ON THE DALLES POOL, THE BONNEVILLE AND JOHN DAY POOLS REMAIN OPEN FOR KEEPERS. (FISHING PHOTO CONTEST)

The states are closing the sturgeon sport fishery to retention since the current catch guideline of 135 fish was exceeded in the first two days of fishing. Catch rates were very good with an estimated 191 fish harvested during Jan. 1-2.

Sturgeon fishing remains open in the Bonneville and John Day pools, where the guidelines are 500 and 105 fish, respectively.

Retention sturgeon fishing is closed below Bonneville Dam and below Willamette Falls under permanent sport fishing regulations.

Except for specific sanctuaries, catch-and-release sturgeon fishing remains open in all of these waters, even when retention seasons are closed.

Find the latest Columbia River regulations at https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone

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Andy Walgamott