Clackamas, Ore. – Oregon and Washington fishery managers announced today the closure of sturgeon retention on the mainstem Columbia from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam (Bonneville Reservoir) effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 12.

While the retention closure will remain in effect for the rest of the year, catch and release fishing for sturgeon will be allowed.

The 2008 harvest guideline for white sturgeon from the Bonneville Reservoir was 700 fish, and managers predict that quota will be met before the July 12 closure.

The Dalles Reservoir was closed to retention on March 15 and the John Day Reservoir was closed on March 26. Sturgeon retention will resume January 1, 2009 in the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day Reservoirs.