WDFW Surveying Anglers, Public On White Sturgeon Fisheries
THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on white sturgeon recreational fisheries in Washington waters.
Survey responses will help inform potential updates to statewide sturgeon fishing regulations and guide how WDFW balances angling opportunities with conservation and harvest limits.
“Interest in sturgeon fishing is growing in Washington, but limited harvest quotas make it difficult to meet angler expectations,” said Laura Heironimus, WDFW’s white sturgeon lead. “This survey is an opportunity for anglers and the public to share their priorities and help inform fishing regulations that reflect the interests of Washington’s fishing communities.”
The survey asks about fishing participation and preferences on possible rule changes, including season timing, area closures, limited-entry permits, gear restrictions, and retention or catch-and-release fisheries. Participation is voluntary, and responses are anonymous.
Take the survey at engage.wdfw.wa.gov/sturgeon. The online survey is open through Oct. 25, 2025, with a possible extension if more feedback is needed. A summary of the survey results will be available on WDFW’s white sturgeon webpage after the survey is complete.
THE FOLLOWING IS WDFW’S WHITE STURGEON RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SURVEY
White Sturgeon Recreational Fisheries Survey
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on white sturgeon recreational fisheries in Washington waters. The survey asks about fishing participation and preferences on possible rule changes, including season timing, area closures, limited-entry permits, gear restrictions, and retention or catch-and-release fisheries.
Survey responses will help inform potential updates to statewide sturgeon fishing regulations and guide how WDFW balances angling opportunities with conservation and harvest limits.
About this survey
All responses are anonymous and no personally identifiable information will be shared. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey is voluntary, and you may exit at any time.
All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
Any information you submit to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is subject to public disclosure under Washington’s Public Records law, RCW 42.56. For more information, refer to WDFW’s Privacy page. Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
Participation in sturgeon recreational fisheries
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* 1. Have you purchased a recreational fishing license in the past five years?
YesNo
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* 2. Which type or types of fishing licenses have you held in the past five years? Select all that apply.
Annual recreational fishing licenseTemporary or daily recreational fishing licenseCharter or guide fishing licenseNone
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* 3. In which state(s) did you purchase a recreational fishing license in the past five years? Select all that apply.
WashingtonOregonIdahoOtherNone
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* 4. Have you fished recreationally for sturgeon in Washington, including the Columbia River, in the past five years?
YesNo
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* 5. Which of the following recreational fishery options do you prefer?
Many total fishing days, but no harvest allowed (catch-and-release only)Few total fishing days, but some harvest allowed (limited retention)
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* 6. How far would you be willing to travel to harvest a sturgeon?
0 to 50 miles51 to 100 miles101 to 200 milesOver 200 milesI am not interested in harvesting a sturgeon
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* 7. Which of the following areas do you fish, or would you prefer to fish, for sturgeon? Select up to three areas, if applicable.
• Area 1: Columbia River and tributaries from the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam (including bays, back channels, sloughs, and the Cowlitz River)• Area 2: Columbia River from Bonneville Dam upstream to McNary Dam• Area 3: Columbia River from McNary Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam and the lower Snake River from the mouth upstream to Ice Harbor Dam• Area 4: Snake River from Ice Harbor Dam upstream to the Idaho border• Area 5: Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam upstream to Grand Coulee Dam• Area 6: Columbia River from Grand Coulee Dam upstream to the Canadian border (including Lake Roosevelt)• Area 7: Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Port Susan, and adjacent tributaries (including Skagit, Stillaguamish, and Snohomish rivers)• Area 8: Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and adjacent tributaries (including Chehalis, Naselle, and Willapa rivers)Other Washington waters
Sturgeon fishery options
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* 8. How likely are you to participate in a fishery managed for season timing, where the harvest season is limited to periods of low catch?
Explanation: The season would be open to all anglers but only during times when fishing is least productive, to slow catch rates and keep harvest within a sustainable quota.
Example: The fishery might be open for harvest only during the coldest month, when catch rates and handling mortalities are lower.Very likelyLikelyNeutralUnlikelyVery unlikely
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* 9. How likely are you to participate in a fishery managed for area closures, where high-catch areas are closed to fishing?
Explanation: Within an open fishery, certain habitats or areas with consistently high catch rates may be closed. Restricting fishing in these areas can reduce catch rates that could otherwise exceed sustainable harvest quotas.
Example: A section of the Columbia River near the mouth of a tributary where creel data indicates catch rates are consistently high could be closed, while other sections of the river remain open to sturgeon harvest.Very likelyLikelyNeutralUnlikelyVery unlikely
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* 10. How likely are you to participate in a sturgeon fishery managed through limited entry, where a special permit is required?
Explanation: Anglers interested in harvesting a sturgeon would need to apply for a special harvest permit or tag. A limited number of permits would be available in specific waterbodies around the state. Anglers could select preferred fishing locations, and a lottery drawing would determine who receives a permit.
Example: Selected anglers would receive a permit authorizing the harvest of one sturgeon within a specified slot limit. Those selected could fish on their preferred dates and times. Harvest would be illegal without a permit.Very likelyLikelyNeutralUnlikelyVery unlikely
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* 11. How likely are you to participate in a fishery managed with gear limitations, such as a bank-only fishery with no angling from vessels?
Explanation: The harvest fishery would allow anglers to catch and harvest sturgeon only by casting from the bank. Fishing from boats or other vessels would not be permitted.
Example: The fishery is open year-round until the harvest quota is reached, but all fishing would need to occur from the shoreline rather than from vessel.Very likelyLikelyUnlikelyNeutralVery unlikely
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* 12. How likely are you to participate in a sturgeon fishery managed as catch-and-release only, open year-round, with no harvest allowed?
Explanation: Anglers could fish for sturgeon throughout the year, but no harvest would be permitted.
Example: You could fish for sturgeon in The Dalles Pool year-round, but every fish caught would need to be released.Very likelyLikelyNeutralUnlikelyVery unlikely
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* 13. Please rank the following sturgeon fishery options from most preferred to least preferred.
How to rank the options:
1. Click or tap each option in the order of your preference, from most preferred to least preferred.
2. Your first click or tap selects your top choice, and your last click or tap selects your lowest choice.
3. To change your ranking, click or tap on an option to move it to a different position or use the drag and drop feature. All options must be selected before reordering.
4. When you’re done, click Save Selection to submit your answers.
NEXT PRIORITY
Season timing: Open only during low catch periods
Area closures: High catch areas closed to fishing
Limited entry: Harvest sturgeon by special permit only
Gear limitation: Bank-only fishing (no angling from vessels)
No harvest: Year-round catch and release fishery
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14. What other sturgeon fishery options would you like WDFW to consider?
Please share ideas, suggestions, or concerns specifically about recreational sturgeon fisheries. Comments on other topics may not be considered.
Demographics
An optional standard demographics survey is available after completion of this survey. All responses are anonymous.
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* Are you a resident of Washington?
YesNo
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* What is your home ZIP code?
Enter country of residence if outside the United States.Zip CodeSave
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