[ODFW-News] 2005 sturgeon sport fishery regulations set for the Columbia and Willamette rivers

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: Information and Education 503-947-6002
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  
	

For Immediate Release	Monday, Dec. 20, 2004

2005 sturgeon sport fishery regulations set for the Columbia and Willamette rivers 

CLACKAMAS - Anglers targeting sturgeon in the lower Columbia and lower Willamette rivers in 2005 will follow similar seasons and rules in place for 2004, the states of Oregon and Washington decided recently.  Oregon fishery managers also recently adopted rules correcting a printing error in the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet for the Columbia River sturgeon fishery upstream from The Dalles Dam. 

"The season dates adopted represent our expectations based on recent years' fishery performance," said Curt Melcher, Columbia River fishery program manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Actual catches will be tracked in-season and modifications will be made if necessary to remain within catch guidelines or to provide additional angling opportunity."
The following rules were adopted:

>From the Columbia River mouth upstream to the Wauna powerlines:
In the mainstem Columbia River from the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to the Wauna powerlines at river mile 40, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries: 
*  Sturgeon retention is allowed seven days a week Jan. 1-April 30, 2005, and May 14-July 4, 2005. 
*  The minimum size limit for retained sturgeon increases from 42 inches to 45 inches  during the May 14-July 4 retention season. 
*  The retention of sturgeon is prohibited seven days a week May 1-13, 2005, and July 5-Dec. 31, 2005. Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during retention closures.

>From the Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam:
In the mainstem Columbia River from Wauna powerlines at river mile 40 upstream to Bonneville Dam, all adjacent Washington tributaries, and the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including Multnomah Channel): 
*  Sturgeon retention is allowed three days a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) Jan. 1-July 31, 2005, and Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2005. 
*  Sturgeon retention is prohibited seven days a week Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2005. Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during retention closures. 

The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon-Washington border:
Oregon managers corrected an important regulation that was omitted from the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet; the minimum size limit for sturgeon caught in the Columbia River from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon-Washington border is 48 inches.

Catch limits and other restrictions listed in the current 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations pamphlet remain in effect the entire year. 

Effective Jan. 1, 2005, anglers are limited to the use of only one single-point barbless hook while sturgeon angling. 

Future meetings:
The next hearing of Columbia River fishery managers, meeting as the Columbia River Compact, is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 28, 2005, at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver, Wash. Managers will review salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and smelt stock status; consider commercial fishing options in the mainstem Columbia River and select areas; and consider miscellaneous regulations for Columbia River commercial fisheries. A joint state meeting to consider spring chinook sport fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River is scheduled to occur immediately following the Jan. 28 Compact hearing.

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