Columbia River Sturgeon

HotDawg · 05-14-2005, 09:19 PM

Tonite I was at ODFW's website and checking out the recreation reports,in the news and highlights area and read this Columbia River and lower Willamette River sturgeon : The area between the Buoy 10 and Wauna Powerlines reopens May 14 for the retention of sturgeon seven days a week. Between Wauna Powerlines and Beacon Rock, including the lower Willamette River , anglers may retain sturgeon Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Catch-and-release sturgeon angling is allowed Sunday � Wednesday.

Is this correct,that sturgeon retention is open 7 day a week between bouy10 and the Wuana apowerlines,or am I reading it wrong.Will someone help me out

steelheadslayer · 05-14-2005, 09:36 PM

That's right but remember the min size down there is 45". OPen 7 days a week.

PapaHog · 05-14-2005, 09:42 PM

I was down there today on a drive with my wife. I stopped at the Kampers West Kamp guound at the cleaning station and people were cleaning sturgeon and I saw the fattest keeper I have ever saw.

This fish was huge. Three fishermen three keepers.

I was there about 2pm.

Nice fish

CCCatch · 05-15-2005, 01:12 AM

Where about is the Wauna Powerlines that they are talking about? Thanks in advance. :whazzup:

steelheadslayer · 05-15-2005, 03:04 AM

The Wauna powerlines are just downstream from Westport on the Oregon side and Cathlamet on the Washington side. They run from the Wauna mill over to Puget Island if I'm remembering right.

CCCatch · 05-15-2005, 03:28 AM

Thanks slayer for the info. I fished for fall chinooks at mouth of Cowlitz and around the longview bridge area but never been further down river. I have a 15' Lodge Series with a 25 Merc., am I going to be OK? I noticed the Columbia splits at the Pudget island so it can't be too rough there right? And where is the closest boat ramp/s in Oregon side.

Sorry for all the questions and possibly jacking this thread from the original poster. Normally I fish in the Gorge but I work all those days that they are open so this might be an opportunity for me to fish on my off days. Thanks again in advance for any info.

Mr_sturgeon · 05-15-2005, 06:09 AM

There is a boat launch on the john day river, just launch there and head down river, or the one I like for sturgeon fishing is east moring basin just as you enter astoria before safeway, go up river a short way to tounge point, real good fishing there, there is also a launch in warrenton and in hammond, just cross the youngs bay bridge and take a right. hope this helps

steelheadslayer · 05-15-2005, 01:37 PM

I normally launch at Deep River when I fish down there but I don't get to do it very often. If you're below the Astoria Bridge and the tide starts to run out, get back on the trailer, the water can get real ugly real fast down there.

Hunter56787 · 05-15-2005, 02:21 PM

CCCatch ;
There is a lauch at Westport, Or. just up stream from the power lines. As for boat size, I ran a 15' Shasta on the Big "C" for years and seen a lot of small boats on the river, but the wind and tide can make the river nasty! I lauch at Chathlamet and with a 17' there are meny days I don't go out do to the weather (wind) making it a bit ruff.

CCCatch · 05-15-2005, 09:08 PM

Thanks slayer, hunter, and Mr_sturgeon for all your helpful tips. I'll probably venture out there one of these days. I appreciate all the responses and hope to see one of you on the river someday.

Hunter56787 · 05-16-2005, 11:06 AM

YVW! Post when your going and you may just have some company.

P.S.
I run Chl 68
on the VHF
(Hunter or Lil Blue II)

StinkyH · 05-16-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

I normally launch at Deep River when I fish down there but I don't get to do it very often. If you're below the Astoria Bridge and the tide starts to run out, get back on the trailer, the water can get real ugly real fast down there.

Can vouch for that - we ran out of Deep River last year and coming back in, it got a bit ugly in the afternoon at the entrance of Deep River. Running a 20' Sportster - had one wave almost break over the front. We had to gun it a few times on some rollers so the front end did not dig into the next wave. Definitely an intense way to end the day. Wear your PFD.

StinkyH

Chrome Bumper · 05-16-2005, 01:32 PM

Aldrich point is between westport and Tongue point. Entrance is shoaled, some nearby backwaters. 15' is plenty big, watch the weather and speed. My son's and I feel good on the big C. The wife doesn't like the roller coaster ride though. Watch the tide carefully below Tongue point. Some days you won't see another fishing boat out of Aldrich if you want to pass on the crowds.

Hunter56787 · 05-16-2005, 02:49 PM

Aldrich Point is a good lil launch with a dock, but the river curent can be a pain launching & retreaving the boat. I springer fish around that area, but never sturgeon fished it much, would like to find a few good spots areound there.

CCCatch · 05-16-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

YVW! Post when your going and you may just have some company.

Hunter, you almost got me on the acronym. :smile: Will keep you in mind when I head out there, lower Columbia that is. I am taking a day off work this Friday to fish on the Gorge below Beacon Rock with a bubby of mine at work. Will post result when we get back. Thanks for all the advisories.