WDFW Fishing Rule Change: John Day Pool to close for sturgeon retention fishing

[Pacific NW Ron]

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

April 1, 2019

John Day Pool to close for sturgeon retention fishing

Action: Anglers must release all sturgeon.

Effective dates: 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Species affected: White sturgeon

Locations: The Columbia River from John Day Dam to McNary Dam.

Reason for action: Fishing effort picked up over this past weekend resulting in catches much higher than expected. Harvest estimates indicate the quota of 105 white sturgeon has been reached. This measure is necessary to prevent further over-harvest of the population.

Additional information: Catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon will continue to be allowed.

Please see the 2018-2019 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional angling rules specific to the Columbia River.

Information contact: Region 5 office; 360-696-6211

[Lipripper]

Good to see them keep a close watch on them white sturgeon population.  Hard fighting fish from what I have seen on them videos. It would be a shame to over fish them.

[Pacific NW Ron]

The crazy part is they make all these changes after the rule book is printed, and they only apply to the sports angler.  Most of the time the commercial fisheries and tribes still get their quota.  The new 2019 Rules and Regulations book was effective yesterday and the changes started already last week.  I have at least another one to post from yesterday.  I get changes at least every week.  I've seen as many as eight in one day.  You can't go by the printed rules and regulations alone.

[Lipripper]

Ron I could see where it would be very hard to follow the rules when they change so much.