Oregon Sturgeon Fishing with Columbia River Fishing Adventures (CRFA)
In the heart of Oregon, where the mighty Columbia River runs through, lies a Sturgeon fishing trip waiting to unfold. It’s a truly world-class experience where the rush of reeling in Trophy sturgeon meets the expertise and charisma of one of Oregon’s finest guide teams: Columbia River Fishing Adventures (CRFA).
Beyond Sturgeon Fishing: A Day with CRFA
CRFA is not just your average guide service. They are a dynamic father-son duo who are passionate about fishing and dedicated to making every moment on the Columbia River an absolute blast. With their seasoned know-how and infectious sense of fun, they redefine the art of angling and create memorable experiences for each and every client.
Navigating the Columbia River: Oregon’s Best Sturgeon Fishing
To embark on a sturgeon fishing trip with CRFA is to enter sturgeon fishing paradise. Picture this: Bonneville Dam, Dalles, or Rufus in Oregon. These spots are not just names; they are gateways to the absolute best sturgeon fishing in the world. CRFA has honed their fishing skills in these waters and knows precisely where and when the sturgeon will be feeding, ready to turn an ordinary day into an epic sturgeon fishing adventure.
From Family Fun to Trophy Pursuits
Whether you are seeking a family outing to catch a bunch of 4 to 6-footers or aiming for a true giant, a trophy sturgeon over 10 feet, CRFA has the insider knowledge and expertise to make your dreams a reality.
A Year-Round Adventure
In Oregon, sturgeon fishing is a year-round affair, promising an exhilarating catch on every trip. Whether you are looking to get in on the keeper season or chase a true trophy, it’s always a good time to book an Oregon sturgeon fishing guide. January 1st marks the beginning of the season for keeper sturgeon fishing! This is the perfect time to catch that prized sturgeon and fill your freezer with some of the best tasting fish in the Columbia River.
But hold on, the excitement doesn’t stop there! In Oregon, sturgeon fishing is a year-round affair, offering the promise of exhilaration with every trip. While the journey continues throughout the year, it’s the period from April to October that truly steals the spotlight. This is when the Columbia River comes alive, teeming with sturgeon just waiting to be caught.
Imagine the rush of adrenaline as you cast your line into the churning waters of Oregon’s biggest rivers, knowing that you’re about to catch one of Oregon’s biggest and most powerful fish. The golden period from April to October sets the stage for an exceptional experience, where every angler’s dream becomes a reality.
However, don’t fret if your fishing plans fall outside this timeframe. With the Columbia River Fishing Adventures (CRFA) team by your side, there’s never a shortage of thrills. Their expert guides know just how to adapt their strategies and tactics to ensure an exciting adventure, no matter the time of year.
So, whether it’s January or July, Oregon’s sturgeon fishing scene promises to deliver an informative and exciting journey for all. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime, catch magnificent sturgeon, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Columbia River with CRFA. River comes alive during these months, teeming with sturgeon waiting to be caught. However, fear not, even outside this timeframe, the thrill of the catch remains unbounded. CRFA knows how to adapt their strategies and tactics to ensure an exciting adventure no matter the time of year.
Oregon’s Best Sturgeon Fishing Locations
Astoria
located in the Columbia River estuary, is widely known for its incredible sturgeon fishing. The best time to hire an Astoria sturgeon fishing guide is from late May through July. During this period, oversized and keeper sturgeon gather in great numbers, creating plenty of shallow water action.
The Columbia River estuary becomes a feeding ground for sturgeons during this time, as there is an abundance of bait such as clams and large schools of anchovies. This significant food source increases the likelihood of hooking into one of the largest and strongest fish you can catch in freshwater.
It is important to note that in recent years, sturgeon retention in Oregon has been restricted to certain areas. These include the main-stem Columbia River from the Wauna power lines downstream to Buoy 10, Youngs Bay, and some Washington tributaries. Therefore, booking a fishing trip with experienced Columbia River fishing guides, such as those from CRFA (Columbia River Fishing Adventures), is highly recommended.
When embarking on an Astoria trophy sturgeon fishing trip, get ready for action-packed days. It is not uncommon to catch up to 40 fish during a single outing. Most of the time, you will be anchored in shallow waters near the sand flats, which are typically 5-10 feet deep. Here, sturgeons weighing between 40 and 300 pounds showcase their impressive acrobatic skills by jumping out of the water.
Fishing with Columbia River Fishing Adventures from CRFA ensures that you have a knowledgeable and experienced team by your side. They will provide you with all the necessary equipment and guidance to make your sturgeon fishing adventure a success. So, prepare for an exhilarating day on the water, enjoying the beauty of Astoria while battling these magnificent giant fish.
Bonneville Dam Sturgeon fishing trips
Sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River is considered one of the best in the world. The Pacific Northwest, particularly Oregon and Washington, is known for its abundance of keeper and oversize sturgeon. Anglers often target the oversize sturgeon during the Shad run in June. These impressive fish can reach lengths of 6 to 15 feet and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
Sturgeon are incredibly long-lived, with some individuals living over a century. They have been around on Earth for as long as dinosaurs. Catching dozens of sturgeon daily is not uncommon, making the Columbia River fishery highly regarded.
Columbia River sturgeon have sharp scoots on their sides and back, which serve as a defense against predators such as seals and sea lions. Various types of bait and fishing locations are utilized to catch these behemoths.
To successfully catch Columbia River sturgeon, anglers use a variety of baits such as herring, anchovies, sand shrimp, worms, squid, and shad. The choice of bait depends on the fishing location, as sturgeon can be quite picky about their preferences. Bringing a selection of baits is recommended to let the sturgeon indicate what they are hungry for.
The lower Columbia River estuary, specifically near Astoria, Oregon, is an example of an area where a particular bait is favored. Sturgeon migrate to this region from below Bonneville Dam to feast on sand shrimp. Oregon sturgeon fishing guides position their boats in shallow sand flats with channels leading out of them. During incoming tides, sturgeon can be caught in just 2 to 4 feet of water, providing an exciting fishing experience. As the tide drops, anglers follow the slightly deeper channels for safety.
Interestingly, keeper and oversize sturgeon are sometimes caught in just a foot of water, with their fins visibly sticking out of the water. These sturgeon feed on sand shrimp, marine grass bugs, and clams. Sand shrimp is widely considered the bait of choice in the Columbia River Estuary. The tireless feeding habits of these sturgeon make them lively fighters when hooked.
When fishing closer to home for Columbia River sturgeon, anglers typically target deeper holes, often over 50 feet deep. In these areas, sturgeon are more likely to bite on a variety of baits. During springtime, herring is commonly used to catch spring chinook, and sturgeon take advantage of the discarded herring from the salmon fishing outings.
In the Columbia River Gorge, anglers primarily use squid and sand shrimp as bait. Despite the absence of squid within 150 miles of the fishing locations, sturgeon in this area are highly interested in squid, creating a mystery yet to be solved.
Currently, the Columbia River sturgeon season is limited to January 1st-31st above Bonneville Dam, with the fishery reaching its quota within a few days of fishing. Booking early is crucial for this winter fishing endeavor.
Another popular fishery is catch and release sturgeon fishing. Oregon sturgeon fishing guides can provide an incredible experience for anglers. Catching giant sturgeon is a bucket-list-worthy activity, and the Columbia River is a prime location for this.
In recent years, the sturgeon fishery near Bonneville Dam has been significantly impacted by sea lion predation, resulting in a decline in fish population. However, the overall sturgeon fishery in the Columbia River remains incredibly fulfilling.
Overall, the Columbia River offers a unique and thrilling sturgeon fishing experience. Whether it’s targeting oversize sturgeon during the Shad run, fishing in the estuary for sand shrimp-fed sturgeon, or engaging in catch and release with the help of Oregon sturgeon fishing guides, anglers can find incredible opportunities to hook into these magnificent fish.
Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing The Dalles Rufus
The Dalles pool is the area above the Dalles Dam located right in the heart of the Dalles, Oregon. The John Day pool is the area right above the John Day Dam located just upriver from the town of Rufus, Oregon. Both pools have lower quotas for the keeper seasons but offer fair fishing at times. The keeper seasons in these pools open on January 1st. The seasons usually only last a couple of weeks as the quota is only 200 fish. Both areas have a healthy population of sturgeon, but neither have near the population of fish as the lower pools. You will see a few Columbia River sturgeon fishing guides in these areas, but due to the lower population of fish, they don’t see near the pressure as the lower sections of the Columbia River. That certainly doesn’t mean they don’t see some fantastic sturgeon fishing at times.
Sturgeon fishing in Oregon and certainly the Columbia River is second to none. Sturgeon are hard fighters and with an average day of sturgeon fishing seeing 20 to 30 hookups, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular fishery. Whether you are hiring an Oregon fishing guide or doing it on your own, it’s hard not to enjoy a great day pulling on some sturgeon.
The History of Oregon Sturgeon
The remarkable white sturgeon is a popular species for recreational fishing on the Columbia River. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in many parts of the river all year round, while retention fishing is permitted in specific areas during specific times.
White sturgeon can reach impressive sizes, growing over 10 feet long and weighing hundreds of pounds. They have a long lifespan, with some individuals living to be 100 years old or even older. These characteristics make sturgeon unique and require careful management to ensure their sustainability. In the Columbia River, sturgeon harvest is closely monitored,