Have you ever seen an episode of River Monsters and wondered what it would be like to wrestle one? Pair up with one of the Columbia River Sturgeon fishing guides and you'll get your opportunity to do just that!
There are very few other species that can match up to the challenge White Sturgeon offer. These prehistoric fish can grow over 15 feet long and reach weights upwards of 1,000 pounds. In spite of their size, they're incredibly acrobatic and capable of jumping several feet into the air when hooked.
As they're bottom feeders, Sturgeon fishing is fairly straightforward. You just need to find holes on the bottom of the Columbia River and anchor up. Sturgeon detect their prey by scent so you'll either want fresh bait or scented dead bait. Typically, you'll position yourself above the portion of the river you want to fish, so the smell of the bait can make its way downstream and lure the fish in.
The real challenge begins once you've successfully hooked a Sturgeon. If you run into a really big one, you'll need to pull your anchor up or risk it sinking your boat. Either way, you should aim to finish the fight as soon as possible, to make sure you can release the fish successfully.
Sturgeon lurk in the Columbia River throughout the year, but the main fishing season takes place between May and October. Anglers are usually allowed to keep two fish per year or one per day, but only during keeper seasons which typically open during summer months.
You can find Sturgeon fishing guides all along the Columbia River. Some of the hotspots are Astoria, Portland, Bonneville Dam, and The Dalles Dam. To get a proper taste of what it's like to fight Sturgeon, you'll want to spend at least 6 hours on the water.
