Columbia sturgeon angling closed from Beacon Rock

[Jennie@ifish]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Contact: Brad Wurfel, 503-947-6020

Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: 503-947-6009



For Immediate Release, Friday, May 27, 2005



Columbia sturgeon angling closed from Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam



SALEM - As sturgeon angling throughout the Columbia River continues to improve and angling effort increases, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today announced a correction on page 18 of the 2005 Sport Fishing supplemental booklet, which includes contradictory season dates for the area between Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam.



Sturgeon angling in the stretch from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam was open from Jan. 1 to April 30. It is now closed to all sturgeon angling through July 31. Catch-and-release angling will resume Aug. 1, and limited retention of sturgeon will be allowed on three days per week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.



"The Columbia River from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam is closed to all sturgeon angling during May, June, and July to protect broodstock sturgeon coming upriver to spawn," said ODFW Deputy Fisheries Administrator Steve Williams. "This protection helps ensure the future of the world's premier sturgeon fishery."



Anglers are encouraged to contact local ODFW offices with questions.



####