White sturgeon is a massive catch. The average lake variety grows up to 8 to 12 feet long and weighs over 400 pounds. And if that sounds like an exaggeration, you’ll be surprised to know that these prehistoric freshwater fish have a lifespan of over 100 years. Hence their popular moniker, dinosaur fish.
Now you may be wondering, it is ok to fish sturgeon?
Is sturgeon fishing illegal?
There are many reasons why sturgeon have become an endangered species. In part because fish eggs or caviar has made them a valuable commodity. Not to mention, their selective breeding habits. Adult male sturgeon do not breed until they are around 15 years old, while females mature at around 20 to 26 years old, and only spawn once every 4 to 8 years.
That is why it is illegal to fish sturgeon in most natural locations. Luckily for you, Snake River is not one of them. Since Hells Canyon has a “catch and release” fishery they have an established sturgeon population that is not under any threat. So you can safely fish for sturgeon, enjoy your trip with your friends and then release them back into the water.
On top of that, Snake River is a remote and difficult to access area so if you’re in Idaho and looking to get in touch with nature this is the perfect place for you.
How To Catch Sturgeon In The Snake River?
But just because you can catch sturgeon in Hells Canyon doesn’t mean it’s an easy task. White sturgeon are huge and they pack a punch. Even if you hook one of these monsters they can still peel off 500 feet of line and leave you in the dust. That said, if you still want to try your hand at sturgeon fishing, Snake River is a great place to do it.
Best Time To Go Sturgeon Fishing
The Snake River has an abundance of adult sturgeon so no matter what time of the year you go you’ll be sure to catch at least a few fish during your stay. However, you can magnify your chances of success by visiting during the peak season.
Sturgeon spawn in spring, from April to May, so the post-spawn period is off-limits. That means you can’t fish from April to June in order to allow the fish room to breed. However, the months between October and April are the best time to fish.
The Proper Sturgeon Fishing Technique
Fishing for sturgeon isn’t especially difficult. All you need to do is get some bait, drop a line and wait patiently until the fish takes a bite.
The Equipment
You can’t go sturgeon fishing without the proper gear. There are certain tips you should follow when purchasing your equipment to ensure you get a good catch. Most sturgeon fishers will go for a stout muskellunge rod to help them bag these massive fish.
You should also invest in a level wind reel coupled with a braided line so the line wraps onto the spool. Go for one that is in the 80 to 100-pound test range. Also, because of the size and weight of the sturgeon, you’ll have better luck pulling one with a heavy line.
Other products to invest in include large netting, pliers to remove the hook afterward, gloves for handling the fish, and a tape measure so you know how big a catch you caught.
How to fish?
Once you’ve gathered the necessary equipment, thread your line to set up a sliding sinker rig. No roll slip sinkers are a huge hit among people looking to fish sturgeon weighing up to five ounces. Add weight so the bait sinks to the bottom and stays there.
Next, tie a barrel swivel to your fishing line so the sinker stays in place. Repeat the process to attach the leader length of your fishing line to the opposite end of the barrel and use around 12 to 18 inches. Hold it in place by tying a circle hook.
You’ll need live bait so try hooking a minnow or some other nightcrawler to attract the sturgeon. Then, when you hook one, tighten the slack and slowly raise your fishing rod so the circle hook has a chance to catch. Remember, a sturgeon is no easy fish to pull so it’ll take you a good 10 to 15 minutes to tug it.
The Bait
As we mention sturgeon like worms or nightcrawlers to be more specific, but they can be hard to fish with. Take three nightcrawlers and place them in a cheesecloth bag, then run your hook through the bag twice making sure to pierce a few worms as you go.
Another favorite sturgeon bait is smelt AKA eulachon. These little fish are mild in smell and oily. The oil is great to send the smell of your bait downriver to the sturgeon.
Sandshrimp can be hard to find in Idaho but if you do the sturgeon will love you for it, or not, lol. This is a top bait for lower river fish that migrate to the estuary and the ocean. don’t be scared to try frozen raw prawns as a substitute.
Squid is top bait for sturgeon and it is common to attract large fish with this bait. Make sure to hook it between the eyes and make at least 2 half hitch loops to hold your bait.
Shad is the all-time favorite for oversize sturgeon. Score the bait lightly with a sharp knife to let the sent out. Place the hook by the tail and use many half hitch loops to hold the bait while waiting for the monster fish to bite.
Clam is a great bait but it is impossible to use so consider Ultra Clam Smelly Jelly bait scent. Another option is to soak your bait overnight in the refrigerator with a can of chopped clams or just the clam juice.
Finally, roll-mop is a great bait in the snake river reservoirs. This pickled fish is considered a treat in Nordic countries but in the US it is considered bait.
Points to note
In order to fish responsibly, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- While it is alright to take your time measuring your catch and taking pictures with the sturgeon, make sure you do not keep the fish out of the water for too long.
- As a fishing enthusiast, it is understandable that you would want to catch the biggest sturgeon possible. However, some of these fish have lengths of up to 10 feet and pulling them into the boat can be unsafe. If you can, try to release the bigger fish while still in the water.
- Attaching a tape measure to the outside of your boat is an easy way to get an estimate reading on your catch without pulling it out of the water.
- Respect the fish while you are taking pictures. Support it horizontally without hurting it. Never hold a fish vertically, by its tail or head.
- If you do decide to pull a fish onto your boat, pack away your rods and other sharp objects beforehand.
- Be extremely careful while handling your catch and make sure you don’t touch the sturgeon’s eyes, rub against its gills, or manhandle it in any way.
Now that you know what to do and how to do it, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a nature trip down to Snake River. While sturgeon fishing definitely isn’t a task for beginners, intermediate and expert fishers will greatly enjoy the experience. It’ll definitely be a holiday to remember.
