01-26-2011, 12:17 PM
p>CLACKAMAS, Ore. - Fishery managers extended for a second time the recreational sturgeon fishery in the lower Columbia River, giving anglers an additional two weeks to fish.
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington decided today to re-open the recreational white sturgeon retention season from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia to the Wauna powerlines at River Mile 40 from Thursday, July 15 through Aug. 1, 2010. The retention season will be open seven days a week for sturgeon 41-inches to 54-inches in fork length.<br />
The original season was extended through July 11, when managers estimated that less than half of the available quota had been harvested.<br />
According to Chris Kern, ODFW fish biologist, there is little chance of reaching the harvest quota even with the additional season extension.<br />
"With a projected 3,000 to 4,000 fish remaining on the quota after Aug. 1, catch rates would have to increase dramatically for us to reach the quota," he said.<br />
"Fewer anglers have been fishing this year because catch rates have been down from recent years," Kern added. But fishing had improved substantially by the end of the first season extension.
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington decided today to re-open the recreational white sturgeon retention season from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia to the Wauna powerlines at River Mile 40 from Thursday, July 15 through Aug. 1, 2010. The retention season will be open seven days a week for sturgeon 41-inches to 54-inches in fork length.<br />
The original season was extended through July 11, when managers estimated that less than half of the available quota had been harvested.<br />
According to Chris Kern, ODFW fish biologist, there is little chance of reaching the harvest quota even with the additional season extension.<br />
"With a projected 3,000 to 4,000 fish remaining on the quota after Aug. 1, catch rates would have to increase dramatically for us to reach the quota," he said.<br />
"Fewer anglers have been fishing this year because catch rates have been down from recent years," Kern added. But fishing had improved substantially by the end of the first season extension.