Clackamas, Ore. —State fishery officials from Oregon and Washington decided today to expand retention of sturgeon seven days per week on the mainstem Columbia River from Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam beginning Monday, Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

“Lower than anticipated catches in this area have made it possible for us to allow more days to the fishery so anglers can access the available quota,” says Chris Kern, ODFW Assistant Columbia River Fisheries Manager. 

Following a joint state hearing last month, managers modified the fishery to allow the retention of sturgeon in this area seven days per week through Sept. 30.  In that hearing, it was decided that managers would review the fishery at the end of September to decide whether to continue the seven-day-per-week retention fishery, or to stick with the original four-day-per-week fishery for the remainder of the year.  Because catches for August and September have remained within expectations, managers believe that catches for the remainder of the year will also remain within the established quota for this area with the expanded opportunity. 

The area affected is the mainstem Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam including all adjacent Washington tributaries, and the lower Willamette River upstream to Willamette Falls and Multnomah Channel.

Fish managers set the Columbia River sturgeon fishery harvest guidelines based on recent population estimates, escapement needs, and harvest allocation agreements between area-specific fisheries.

Additional information may also be found on ODFW's Web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/OSCRP/CRM/index.asp