Ever dreamed of catching a dinosaur? Your chances of hooking a T-Rex may be slim, but it’s not so far-fetched to have a living fossil chomp down on your line. In fact, many anglers knock that one off their bucket list each year. No, it’s not make-believe—it’s Sturgeon fishing.
Ancestors of these fish have been traced back to the Jurassic period, when the shores around them were stalked by literal dinosaurs. The contemporary species of Sturgeon you can catch today entered the scene more than 136 million years ago!
Sturgeon rival the human lifespan, with some species living 100 years or more. Their food value only increases with age—and we aren’t just talking about the firm, creamy filets. These fish are the world’s only source of authentic caviar. Sadly, this has led many Sturgeon species to endangerment.
But, that doesn’t rule these prehistoric prizes out of sportfishing entirely. In some states, catch-and-release fishing for Sturgeon is a point of pride and an experience you can’t miss out on. Join us as we explore why…
How to Identify Sturgeon
Sturgeon (of the family Acipenseridae) span the entire northern hemisphere. Many are anadromous, living out their days in saltwater and then migrating upriver to breed. However, some only inhabit freshwater rivers and lakes.
Most Sturgeon range from 3–10 feet long and pack on as much as 200–500 pounds. Beluga Sturgeon can reach over 3,000 pounds, making them the largest freshwater fish in the world! The American White Sturgeon is the most common, however, which can still reach mammoth proportions at about a third of that size.
Though they vary in size and color, all Sturgeon share key characteristics. These include a long, flat snout and several barbels dangling above their mouth. Sturgeon also have rows of bony scutes or plates that run along their back and down their sides. You’ll also notice their heterocercal tail fins (meaning the lower lobe is shorter than the upper one).
The duck-like snout on a Sturgeon gives it a strong resemblance to its cousin, the Paddlefish, while the barbels that look like whiskers can make it easy for a novice to mistake this species for Catfish. Once you get acquainted with the Sturgeon family, however, there’s no mistaking these gentle giants for anything else. Both in looks and in nature, they’re truly unique!
Types of Sturgeon
There are an estimated 25–30 species of Sturgeon around the world, seven of which inhabit North America. Those most commonly caught in this part of the world include:
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
White Sturgeon inhabit coastal waters and connecting rivers from California to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. As the biggest Sturgeon in North America, they’re easily the most popular. Trophy-sized fish span over 10 feet long and tip the scale past 1,000 pounds, which is why this species has been dubbed the “Marlin of the Pacific Northwest.”
So, just how big was the biggest White Sturgeon ever caught? There are legends of fish that measured over 20 feet long and weighed close to 2,000 pounds, but few of these claims have been verified. Strictly speaking, the world record for White Sturgeon is 468 pounds, caught in San Pablo Bay, California in 1983. However, a much larger specimen from the Fraser River in Canada was reported in 2012, measuring 11 feet, 6 inches and tipping the scales at a whopping 1,100 pounds!
Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)
Another native to the West Coast, Green Sturgeon inhabit fresh and saltwater all the way from Alaska to California, making this the most widespread Sturgeon species in North America. You aren’t likely to confuse them with White Sturgeon in the same area, as Green Sturgeon clock in at a much smaller size (typically 3–5 feet long). This, combined with strict regulations, may be why they’re less commonly targeted for sport.
Lake Sturgeon—aka Rock Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)
This species is concentrated around the Great Lakes and their watersheds, where it reigns as the largest and oldest freshwater fish. Though they don’t reach trophy sizes like their counterparts in the west, Lake Sturgeon can reach up to 200 pounds and are still a bucket-list fish for many anglers.
Florida also boasts several species of Sturgeon (Atlantic, Gulf, and Shortnose), but these are more elusive and all three species are prohibited for sportfishing purposes. If you catch one by mistake, make sure to handle it with care and release it right away.
Top Sturgeon Fishing Spots
We’ve already touched upon some of the top spots to target Sturgeon in North America, but here’s a closer look at the best bodies of water for these behemoths:
Fraser River (British Columbia)
The Fraser River is the go-to source of trophy-sized White Sturgeon, where anglers report catching 10–12′ fish every year. This fishery runs year-round, but locals recommend targeting Sturgeon during the warmer months from March to November. Sturgeon fishing on the Fraser River is strictly catch and release.
Columbia River (Oregon and Washington)
This mighty river offers more world-class Sturgeon fishing. Catch-and-release is allowed along much of the river year-round, and some areas are even open for retention fishing at certain times (size and bag limits apply). For the best Sturgeon fishing the Columbia River has to offer, head to Astoria, Oregon sometime between June and September.
California Delta
The California Delta is yet another source of record-breaking Sturgeon. Technically, the fish are biting year-round, but the action peaks in spring and fall. Depending on regulations, you may be allowed to keep your catch within size and bag limits. (Note that this is subject to change at any time, and the fishing season may even close at short notice in order to protect the species.)
Michigan
Yes, we really did just recommend an entire state, because Michigan’s lakes and rivers are surgin’ with Sturgeon. Some of the best spots for Sturgeon fishing in Michigan are Black Lake, Mullett Lake, and Lake St. Clair as well as the St. Clair River. There are strict seasons and bag limits for Lake Sturgeon in Michigan, which vary from location to location.
How to Fish for Sturgeon
One look at the toothless grin beneath a Sturgeon’s snout is enough to tell you these fish are bottom feeders. Like living rumbas, they scour the bay and river beds sucking up worms, crustaceans, fish eggs, and more.
As such, you can expect to fish for Sturgeon using some form of drift fishing or bottom fishing. Popular variations of these include slow trolling and bottom bouncing, where you cast your bait and slowly reel it in so it can bounce along the bottom. It’s common to fish for Sturgeon from a jet boat, but in some places, you can target them from shore.
Getting to know the underwater landscape is crucial so you can anchor up near a bit of contour, such as shelves, holes, humps, or slopes. Seek out areas with a silty bottom and relatively calm or even currents. This will ensure that your bait will stay on the bottom and your line won’t tangle.
Hooking a Sturgeon requires some subtlety. They often nibble at your bait before taking a hard bite, so don’t try to set your hook too soon. There should be a steady pull at the other end before the fight is on. These fish can run a long way with your bait, so don’t turn your drag all the way in.
Sturgeon Fishing Gear
If you’re fishing for Sturgeon with a guide, they’re likely to provide all the gear you need. They’ll also make sure that the equipment is well-suited to the local waters. If you plan to bring your own gear or want to take a crack at Sturgeon fishing on your own, here are a few pointers:
Rods, Reels, and Fishing Line
A 7–8′ light or medium action rod and any mid-sized baitcasting reel will serve you well. Some anglers opt for a larger reel in order to make sure there’s plenty of line for the fish to run away with.
For a monster Sturgeon, it’s common to use anywhere from 65–100 lb test braided line with an 18″ mono leader (make sure it’s heavy, at least 80 lb test). When targeting smaller species like Rock Sturgeon, you might get away with a shorter leader and lighter lines, but plenty of anglers in the Midwest pack heavy tackle, too. It really comes down to preference and personal experience, so ask around and see what locals are using.
While you want a rod that can handle the weight of these fish pulling against you, try to grab one with a soft tip on it so that they don’t feel any resistance upon biting. Fiberglass rods lend themselves well to this, and you can go so far as to purchase a fiberglass-graphite composite in order to combine strength with finesse. Precisely what rod you want will depend on whether you’re trolling, bottom fishing, or casting from shore.
Sinkers and More
Don’t forget to add a sinker to your line so the bait stays put. Depending on the depth and current, you may need to swap out sinkers before landing on the appropriate weight. Pack your arsenal with a range of 4–26 oz sinkers.
In addition to this, you’ll want to consider hooks and ties. Circle hooks are a popular choice, usually sized 7/0–10/0 for White Sturgeon and 4/0–6/0 for Rock Sturgeon.
Sturgeon Fishing Bait
As they have relatively poor eyesight, Sturgeon hunt by smell. Therefore, use fresh bait whenever possible and don’t shy away from a little stink. Some anglers even marinate their bait or add a cotton ball soaked in scented oil to make it more pungent.
Salmon roe and lamprey (eel) are common Sturgeon baits, particularly at the early and late ends of the peak season. Choose eggs from a local Salmon species, ideally Chinook. At other times, fish like sardines, shad, eulachon (smelt), or even salmon pieces work well. You can also use mollusks, pile worms, crawfish, or various kinds of shrimp.
The tidbits that Sturgeon scrounge for vary by season, and this means switching up your bait choice, too. Come prepared to experiment with several baits and be sure to choose local species that are swimming in the same waters as your target Sturgeon.
When to Catch Sturgeon
Sturgeon are present in many waters year-round, but some seasons are more productive than others. Even different areas along one river may be booming at different times.
Generally, fishing for White Sturgeon is most productive during the warmer half of the year, with peaks from April–June and September–November. Anglers fishing the California Delta target these fish through winter, mainly because not much else is biting.
If you’re fishing the Fraser River in British Columbia, it’s likely to be strictly catch and release. For a fish you can keep, hit the Columbia River from Astoria, OR, in late May or June. The California Delta also has some of the most generous regulations when it comes to retention fishing, but these are limited to certain areas and a specific time of year (often the latter half).
In the Midwest, some waters see more Sturgeon action in summer while others are bustling in fall. Even in winter when the lakes freeze over, you can try fishing for Sturgeon. For a keeper fish, you’re probably looking at a short, regulated season. On Michigan’s Black Lake, for example, retention fishing for Sturgeon is only allowed for a few days each year.
Sturgeon Fishing: A Timeless Pursuit
With such ancient roots, it’s fair to say that Sturgeon have stood the test of time. In fact, they’ve evolved very little since their debut 136 million years ago—which is nature’s way of saying these fish are, essentially, perfect.
They’re not the most striking game fish, but Sturgeon have earned a special place on anglers’ bucket lists, from the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest to the depths of the Great Lakes. Wherever this swimming fossil leads you, we wish you tight lines and the chance to say, “I caught a dinosaur today!”
Is Sturgeon at the top of your bucket list? Where will you be fishing for one next? If you’ve caught one before, we want to hear how big it was!
The post How to Fish for Sturgeon: The Complete Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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