Championship Sportfishing Outfitters...Sac/Feather/Amer/Delta/Sierras... Report
Fin Addict Sportfishing...SF Bay/Delta
Fish Hookers Sportfishing... Isleton/Richmond...Report
Fish-N-Trip Sportfishing...Sac/Delta/Foothill Lakes
Intimidator Sportfishing...SF Bay/Delta... Report
Lucky Strike Sportfishing...SF Bay
MegaBites Guide Service ... OR, WA & Columbia R.
Nor Cal Outdoor Guides... Sac/Feather/Am/Delta ... Report
North Rivers Guide... Sac & Feather R. ... Report
Dan Ponciano's Guide Service...Columbia River...Report
RediSet Rodholders...Advantages in Sturgeon Fishing
S&C Guide Service...Delta
Steelie Dan's Guide Service...Elk Grove...Report
Sunrise Bait Company...Fresh & Cured Salmon Eggs

About Sturgeon

In salt water, sturgeon range from Ensanada, Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska. The larger river systems on the west coast host spawning runs. The Columbia-Williamette, the Sacramento-San Joaquin, and the Umpqua are the most notable. Smaller populations can be found in the Russian, Klamath, Rogue and Coquille systems. Populations with access to the sea may or may not migrate and there are landlocked sturgeon in the Columbia River and Shasta Lake.

Sturgeon can live to be 100 years old and are the largest fresh water fish in North America. The sportfishing record fish was caught in The Dalles, Oregon and weighed 900 pounds. All the west coast states have bracketed length requirements for fish taken. For Oregon and California fish that are 4 to 6 feet in length are allowed to be kept. Check the Regulations!

A female sturgeon takes at least 11 years to mature, males somewhat less. Sturgeon do not spawn every year. Spawning takes place during the spring and the fish prefer rocky or gravel bottoms. Up to 5,000,000 eggs are released into the river followed by the milt. The sticky eggs adhere to the bottom where they hatch within 2 weeks.

Where to Fish
Delta, CA :: Sacramento Valley, CA :: Columbia River, OR :: San Pablo Bay, CA :: West Delta, CA :: Lower Mokelumne River, CA

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"I'm going to retire my rod and reel," were my wife's words after 8 sturgeon trips with no luck! Last year was great fishing for us averaging a sturgeon every other trip. Then suddenly 0, zip, nada, trip after trip nothing. Then on 4/7/02 decided to try once again. I checked the tides, late afternoon looked the best. 2:30 pm and we were once again on the water. Checked all the hot spots, nothing on the fish finder, again! Ended up at "our spot", the first place my wife and I ever fished for sturgeon together. About an hour later my wife's rod tip move ever so slightly, almost like a finicky trout. Before I can say anything she's setting the hook, rod bends full but nothing gives, nothing moves, just about the time we are thinking she's snagged on the bottom all hell breaks loose. 1st run takes 100yds of line, which sets the stage for the rest of the fight. Bring the fish almost to the boat then off it goes again and again and again for 30 min. Finally we get this fish to the boat and carefully slide the noose over it's head and pull the cable tight-- once again all hell breaks loose, water flying everywhere I brace my body to the boat and start to wonder just who's landing who, just about that time the sturgeon throws the noose!!! The fight's on again, somehow we manage to untangle the line which is now wrapped around the noose, and land the brut. Had to measure the fish 4 times 72.00 inches, 100lbs.!!!!!

 
Artwork by: Alan James Robinson Copyright © 2000.