The Dalles Pool To Open For Sturgeon Retention This Saturday

Columbia River sturgeon managers played it conservative, approving only the first of two proposed The Dalles Pool retention opportunities later this month, but they do plan to revisit the fishery following this Saturday’s opener.

Staffers from ODFW and WDFW had recommended opening both February 15 and the following Thursday, February 20, but representatives of both agencies’ directors were more hesitant.

“I’m just in a cautious mood with these sturgeon openers after the 1st, maybe unnecessarily so,” stated Tucker Jones, the Oregon rep on the call with Washington’s Dr. Charlene Hurst.

The 1st would the New Year’s Day opener on the Bonneville Pool below The Dalles Pool, where high pressure and good fishing saw the recreational guideline of 1,250 fish exceeded by 115. The overage had Jones calling for “an honest conversation with the public” about holding future holiday openers.

But while there wasn’t any room for any more keeper days on Bonneville, only 51 percent of the guideline of 275 sturgeon was caught that same day on The Dalles Pool, allowing for more opportunity there.

DFW staffers are modeling a kept catch of 75 this Saturday. Anglers will face a cold rain or snow showers, according to the latest forecast, while sturgeon will hope they head to the warm confines of the Pacific Northwest Sportsman Show instead.

Harvert stats from this weekend’s opener should be available by next Tuesday and next week’s Columbia River Compact to set this year’s recreational spring Chinook fishery, providing a possible opportunity to dole out another day of sturgeon retention on The Dalles Pool.