Idaho Falls Sturgeon planters

[StickRig]

I've read a few posts on here now about the sturgeon stocked in the Idaho Falls area. I've never fished for sturgeon before and I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on the tackle needed, and if its not too much of a secret for ya, perhaps a good spot to go try (in that Idaho Falls area).
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[cpierce]

They might be kind of small. Only 74 were planted in 07 and then a bunch more last Nov. I think they are about 2 ft long when planted. I am not sure how fast they grow, but you should be able to pick up a few in the 2 to 3 ft length.
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[StickRig]

I'm ok with small. I just wanna see one in person. You know, something different to catch. So is it basically a strategy of sink it to the bottom and wait? Any advice on bait?
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[mattpeace]

The idaho reg book has a section on how to rig for sturgeon, and from everything i have heard (never caught one personally) a gob of worms or a chunk of chub meat is the best just cast and wait.
[fishon]
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[fishin4days]

agreed. If they are 2-3 ft long you should be able to pick them up on a catfish or steelhead rod and reel set up. For smaller ones worms work well. Some people use the sturgeon smelly jelly on the worms also. Cut bait works great. If using cut bait fresher is better. They don't like rotten stuff like catfish. Use fresh trout or carp in my opinion. Something that they naturally eat in the river there. Check the sturgeon page in the regs too it's mandatory to use a drop line and slider on your sinker (a buddy got a ticket for no drop line earlier this year). good luck, let us know how you do.
Jeremiah
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[Mules]

They also planted some last year that were close to 5 ft. They have also stocked some in this same size during the previous stockings at John's hole bridge. There has been confirmed catches of them down into Gem Lake the last past summers.


[fishon]
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[ivorytip]

confirmed catches near woodvill too. below damn. sounds like the prehistoric dino is makeing its return.
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[Mules]

WI hadn't heard of the ones below Gem Lake. They means they could go. As far as American Falls. Plus they are already well established below there[fishon]
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[cpierce]

Good to know that they planted the larger ones too. That is cool.
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[windriver]

It is just my thought, but I wouldn't encourage anyone to go after those small sturgeon for quite some time. I know some will catch them of them by accident, but I just think we should let them get bigger before we target them. With less than 100 in this section of the river people could really rip them up if too many people target them.

I know they are there and a legal game fish. I would just like to see a fishery of big boys in 20-40 years.

I have caught sturgeon on the Colombia both big and small. The small ones aren't anything special to fight, but the big ones are truly amazing.

Windriver
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