UTERWhite sturgeon fishing in Washington freshwater
In Washington freshwater, white sturgeon peak October–June and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: Columbia River pools above Bonneville — rules change yearly.
No note for October — see the months around it.
White sturgeon in Washington freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeak
- FebruaryPeakColumbia River pools above Bonneville — rules change yearly.
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MaySpawningSturgeon spawn below the dams.
- JuneSpawning
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish white sturgeon near Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan
The Columbia's walleye, smallmouth, shad, salmon and sturgeon, Puget Sound steelhead rivers, Lake Chelan's lakers and kokanee, and eastern Washington's lowland lakes.
What to use for white sturgeon
- Ghost shrimpThreaded on a #4 to 1/0 baitholder hook on a Carolina rig in the surf or the bay — the surfperch, corbina and sturgeon bait.
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- Leader15–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–2/0
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 46–66°F water, best at 50–60°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch white sturgeon in Washington freshwater?
Peak season is October–June, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). White sturgeon are here year-round. February: Columbia River pools above Bonneville — rules change yearly.
Where do white sturgeon hold in Washington freshwater?
Look on bridge, river — around Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan, Skagit River, Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt.
What is the best bait for white sturgeon in Washington freshwater?
Live bait: ghost shrimp, herring, salmon eggs (roe). Ghost shrimp: Threaded on a #4 to 1/0 baitholder hook on a Carolina rig in the surf or the bay — the surfperch, corbina and sturgeon bait. Tackle: leader 15–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–2/0, braid 10–20 lb.
What are the rules for white sturgeon in Washington freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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