07-24-2009, 11:10 AM
OLYMPIA - The sturgeon fishery in the Columbia River estuary has been extended for another three days, beginning Friday (July 24).
Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced the joint decision after assessing catch data through July 19.
By their action, the two states will allow anglers to catch and retain legal-size white sturgeon Friday through Sunday (July 24-26) between the mouth of the Columbia and the Wauna powerlines near Cathlamet.
Those additional fishing days are designed to give anglers an opportunity to catch up to 2,400 sturgeon still available for harvest after a six-day opening earlier this month, said Brad James, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"Fishing was generally good, but we didn't get the turnout we expected because a lot of anglers decided to fish for salmon off the coast," James said. "That left room for some extra fishing days."
This year's catch guideline for the estuary fishery is 15,529 fish. James said this week's three-day opening is not expected to cause the catch to exceed that guideline.
The daily catch limit is one white sturgeon, with a fork-length measurement of 41 inches to 54 inches. All green sturgeon must be released.
Media Contact
Region 5 Office, (360) 696-6211
Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced the joint decision after assessing catch data through July 19.
By their action, the two states will allow anglers to catch and retain legal-size white sturgeon Friday through Sunday (July 24-26) between the mouth of the Columbia and the Wauna powerlines near Cathlamet.
Those additional fishing days are designed to give anglers an opportunity to catch up to 2,400 sturgeon still available for harvest after a six-day opening earlier this month, said Brad James, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"Fishing was generally good, but we didn't get the turnout we expected because a lot of anglers decided to fish for salmon off the coast," James said. "That left room for some extra fishing days."
This year's catch guideline for the estuary fishery is 15,529 fish. James said this week's three-day opening is not expected to cause the catch to exceed that guideline.
The daily catch limit is one white sturgeon, with a fork-length measurement of 41 inches to 54 inches. All green sturgeon must be released.
Media Contact
Region 5 Office, (360) 696-6211