STERGON , LAKE

[lonehunter]

[url "http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/pafish/lakestrm.jpg"][/url]
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[lonehunter]

[center][font "Times New Roman"][#408080][size 6]Fishing Basics[/size][/#408080][/font][/center] [indent] [left][font "Times New Roman"][#400040]To put it politely, sturgeon fishing isn't rocket science. The idea is to put the bait on the bottom of the lake, river or bay and wait until that 'ol diamondback swims up and tries to make a meal out of it. At that point -- [size 4]rip those lips! [/size][/#400040][/font][/left][/indent] [indent] [left][font "Times New Roman"][#400040]If it's so darn simple, you might ask, then why do so many people love to sturgeon fish? In fact, if it's so darn simple, why do so many people have trouble catching sturgeon? [/#400040][/font][/left][/indent] [indent] [indent] [indent] [indent] [indent][font "Times New Roman"][#400040][/#400040][/font][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [indent] [left][font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Never forget that the next tap on your rod tip could be a sturgeon that is over ten feet long and weighs in excess of 1000 pounds.[/#400040][/font][/left]

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[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]RODS[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Boat rods are typically 6 to 8 1/2 feet long. Salmon mooching rods are often used by anglers who prefer lighter gear, and are usually rated 20 to 60 lb test. The heavier rods are generally 6 to 7 feet long and are rated at 60 lbs or more. [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]The bank/casting/surf rods have the same range of line test, but are commonly 10 to 15 feet in length. One-piece rods are preferred for their greater strength.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]The heavier rods are used when trophy fish are being targeted, or when deep water and a fast current requires weights of one to three pounds. Anglers in the shallow waters of estuaries or bays often prefer lighter tackle.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]There are far too many brand names and model numbers to mention them here (besides, the manufacturers ain't paying me jack). [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]REELS[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Any of the quality brand reels will work fine. Levelwind and baitcasting reels are the most popular, but a large spinning reel will do the job. Line capacity should be at least 250 yards of 25 lb test mono. Less line capacity can be dangerous if a big fish comes along. Anglers targeting oversized fish should gear up accordingly.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]LINE[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Monofilament lines remain the most common. They usually run in the 20 to 40 lb range.[/#400040][/font][font "Times New Roman"][#400040] [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]When heavier lines are needed, most anglers go to dacron or one of the new 'synthetics'. Dacron has a larger diameter/strength ratio and has fallen out of favor as thinner/stronger lines have come on the market. The synthetics have all but eliminated the wire lines once used for large fish in the deep, fast water of the Columbia and Snake Rivers.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]LEADERS[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Leader materials are as diverse as lines. My personal experiences are primarily in the Columbia River Gorge where dacron (80 lb+) is common. The thought is that sturgeon often roll when caught, wrapping the leader around their body. Dacron will not lose strength when nicked by the bony plates (scutes) on a sturgeon like mono would. However, many anglers have e-mailed me saying that they use mono in the 25 to 50 lb range and have never had it break. If you choose mono, always check for nicks and abrasions after each fish. Some anglers use plastic coated wire for leaders (the San Francisco Bay sturgeon rig), although I don't see its advantages over dacron and the synthetics (Don's note: a reader e-mailed me and said that wire leader laid on the bottom flatter than the other options, and that this had been confirmed by scuba divers. Thanx for the input).[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]Hooks[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Hooks size 5/0 to 9/0 are most common. Barbless hooks are required in some locations, and are always a good idea if you will release fish. I have no preference on type.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]Weights[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]The weight must be carefully matched to the depth, current and bottom structure. Weights in the 2 to 16 oz. range will cover most applications. There are exceptions: in the spring in the Columbia River Gorge there is a huge run of shad that commonly go 1 to 4 pounds, and are a popular bait for monster sturgeon. When fishing such a large bait in very fast water, weights of three or four pounds are often needed to hold bottom. [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]The style of weight can be very important. In the rocky river bottom of the Columbia Gorge round weights are used to minimize hang-ups in the crevices between rocks. Pyramid or flat weights will hold bottom better in sand or mud. Check with a local tackle store if you aren't sure what style to use in a new location.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]RIGGING[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]There are two basic sturgeon rigs - boat and bank, and numerous variations often depending on local regulations. [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]The basic boat rigging is a slip (sliding) sinker on the main line, a large swivel, and about two feet of leader. Some anglers use leader lengths up to six feet, but I don't know why a longer leader would be better. Some prefer two hooks where they are legal. [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Bank rigging is generally one of two styles: [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]1) the main line runs to a three-way swivel, the leader extends straight off of the swivel, and a short (lighter test) dropper line to the weight off of the swivels other eye.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]2) the same as a boat rig, except that the leader and hook is on the slider, with a lighter test line running off the swivel to the weight.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Both of these setups allows a snagged weight to be broken off without loosing the whole rig.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][url "http://camalott.com/~striper/bait/knots/knots.html"][#0000ff][/#0000ff][/url][/font]



[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]BAIT[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]The best sturgeon bait is usually whatever is found fresh in the water you are fishing (but not always). When the smelt are running, nothing beats fresh smelt. In the bays, live shrimp is always a good choice. That said -- everyone who has ever wet a line has had one of those days when there was only one lure,fly or bait catching fish, and it made no sense at all. I have had days when the most productive 'bait' was combining three or four different baits on a hook and holding them together with elastic thread.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Popular sturgeon baits in no particular order: [/#400040][#ff0080]shad, smelt, anchovies, herring, sardines, sand shrimp, mud shrimp, ghost shrimp, grass shrimp, eel, squid, salmon roe and nightcrawlers. Many of these baits also come processed or pickled. When in doubt, get advice at a local tackle or bait shop.[/#ff0080][/font]



[font "Times New Roman"][#808000][size 4]LOCATIONS[/size][/#808000][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]White Sturgeon might be found in any river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from the central California coast to Southern Alaska. Including [/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Canada The Fraser River, Harrison River, Lower Pitt River, Stellako River, Nechako River,Taku River, and Fraser Lake, Stuart Lake, Kootenay Lake and Duncan Lake. Also the St John's River in New Brunswick.[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Washington The Snohomish River, The Chehalis River, Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, Columbia River[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Oregon Columbia River, Willamette River, Winchester Bay, Nehalem Bay, Coos Bay, Siuslaw Bay, Tillamook Bay,Yaquina Bay, Rogue River, Umpqua River[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]California Klamath River, Sacramento River, American River, San Joaquin River, San Francisco Bay[/#400040][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][#400040]Idaho Snake River[/#400040][/font]
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[lonehunter]

Fishing for sturgeon is fairly limited for bank anglers on the Columbia
river.I have However found the following areas to be fair to excellent for keeper
size fish.

BONNEVILLE DAM. Catch Lg. sturgeon here most any time of the year.
Don’t try to fish this area unless you are a fairly experienced sturgeon
fisherman with heavy pole & gear. Some walleye can also be caught here. Good parking.

FRONTAGE RD. Take the Ainsworth State Park exit, right at 1st stop,
Right at 2nd stop, left on Frontage Rd to end. Don’t go under RR overpass!
Park here and walk down old creek bed under RR about 500ft to the water.
Fishing here is fair for Salmon & Sturgeon.

WARRENDALE. At the Ainsworth exit take a left at the stop, then a right
On the first Rd (no name) go 1 ¾ mile, turn left on Warrendale Rd go under
freeway, turn right at the stop its about 1000 ft to the Trucks 500ft sign
park here.Walk down the gravel road go left along the RR tracks about 1500ft
to the creek over pass take the trail 200ft to the river. Fish around the
pilings this is a good spot for sturgeon. Fish the lower bank area
for some very good fall salmon angling. Use rainbow spinners with
8” dropper tied on with a light string.

THE REST AREA. At mile marker #23. Fair for Sturgeon, steep bank
with sharp rocks, fish anywhere from the brushy area east to the Lg. rock.

CORBET. Fish the dead end road around the pilings. Fair at times for
Sturgeon, easy access with limited parking.

DITLERS BEACH. Just east of the 42nd St. boat ramp. Best fished at slack
tide. Sandy beach with shallow water. Cast out 50 – 75 ft to reach deeper
holes.

KELLY POINT PARK. Drive to last parking area and take the trail
to the point. This is where the Willamette & Columbia Rivers meet,
Fishing here for sturgeon can be fair at times. Fish in the Willamette or
Columbia.

PIER #1 & #2 ASTORIA. Take Hwy. 30 in Astoria turn right on Portway and
followflags to the entrance. At times the docks may be closed due to ships
mooring. Call the port office to check if they will be open before you go 503-325-4521


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