Winter Keeper Sturgeon Seasons Set On Columbia Gorge Pools

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OFFISH AND WILDLIFE

Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington set 2024 Columbia River sturgeon retention seasons upstream of Bonneville Dam during a hearing today. 

Fisheries in both The Dalles Pool and Bonneville Pool will be open three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays) beginning Jan. 1, similar to retention seasons in 2023.  

Angler effort has generally increased in these fisheries over the last three years. Due to this, and the inherent volatility of these fisheries, the states moved to a three-day-a-week approach for The Dalles Pool starting in 2022, and Bonneville Pool starting in 2023.  With this new management approach, angler interest has remained high, and anglers have more of a chance to plan a fishing trip before retention closes.  

The John Day Pool fishery will remain open seven days per week in 2024, as listed in the permanent regulations pamphlet, until the harvest guideline is met.  

The 2024 reservoir-specific recreational harvest guideline recommendations by the U.S. v OR Sturgeon Management Task Force will be determined in late January 2024, following a review of stock status data. Until then, the 2023 recreational guidelines will be used as placeholders (675, 190, and 105 fish for Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day pools, respectively). 

Planned season dates follow but sturgeon anglers are reminded to always check Regulation Updates for the Columbia Zone before fishing as regulations can change quickly,  https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone#Regulation-Updates

Bonneville Pool:

·        Season:  Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays Jan. 1 – Feb. 7, 2024 (17 days total) 

·        Area: Mainstem Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam, and all adjacent tributaries 

·        Allowable Catch: Up to 675 white sturgeon 

·        Legal size: 38-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length (Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.) 

·        Bag limit: One fish daily, two fish annually 

The Dalles Pool:

·        Season: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays Jan. 1-29, 2024 (13 days total) 

·        Area: Mainstem Columbia River from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam, and all adjacent tributaries 

·        Allowable Catch: Up to 190 white sturgeon 

·        Legal size: 43-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length (Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.) 

·        Bag limit: One fish daily, two fish annually 

Catch-and-release sturgeon angling remains open all year, except angling for sturgeon is prohibited May 1 through Aug. 31 within the designated sanctuary areas in each of the dam tailraces. The daily and annual bag limits apply to any/all sturgeon fisheries statewide.