April 24, 2008
Fishing for white sturgeon
Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. Sturgeon can be caught all year but springtime is probably the best time to try to catch one of these giant fish.
The Clearwater Region has perhaps the strongest population of white sturgeon in Idaho in the 105 miles of free-flowing Snake River from Lewiston upstream to Hell's Canyon Dam. The most recent studies there estimated that there are from 3,000 to 6,000 sturgeon between two and eleven feet long in this area. Over half of the fish are less than three feet long, indicating that there is good reproduction in this stretch. Smaller numbers of sturgeon are found in the lower Salmon River.
White sturgeon can live to be over 80 years old and grow very slowly. Because of this, since 1970 the sturgeon fishery has been managed under a strict catch and release regulation. Any sturgeon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately unharmed. Barbless hooks are also required when fishing for sturgeon.
Sturgeon angling continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you practice "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treat these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:
Hook 'Em Right
Keep the fish from swallowing the hook:
· Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don't set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, remember that when using a regular "J" hook, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.
· Pinch the barb-(It’s the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon’s fleshy mouth.
· Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel, using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this "ghost gear" is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.
Play 'Em Fast
Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight:
· 50-80 lb test monofilament lines or 130-150 lb test superbraid lines should be considered the minimum size to use. Monofilament has advantages in that it has much higher abrasion resistance and its stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish.
· Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish's muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.
· Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.
Release 'Em Easy
To ensure the fish will survive to fight another day:
· Keep the fish in the water-(It’s the law). Don't pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish's layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish's skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.
· Don’t tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing.
· Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all times.
This information is compiled by regional fishery managers and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Sportsmen's Report sponsored by John and Lorraine Weiland
Riverside Sport Shop/Sinclair
11320 U.S. Highway 12, Orofino--208-476-5418