Sturgeon fishery opens June 15
Lake Roosevelt fishermen can keep fish 50-63 inches long
Last updated 5/21/2020 at 12:42pm
DAVENPORT — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will allow fishermen to catch white sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt beginning Jun 15.
The opening remains in effect from Grand Coulee Dam in Grand Coulee upriver to the China Bend boat ramp on Northport Flat Creek Road east of Barstow.
The fishery includes the Spokane River from the state Highway 25 bridge upstream to 400 feet below Little Falls Dam, and the Colville River from the mouth to Meyers Falls Dam.
The Kettle river is also open upstream to the Barstow Bridge.
Fishermen may keep one white sturgeon daily, for an annual limit of two. Sturgeon must be between 50 and 63 inches in length, from the snout to the middle of the tail fin fork.
Catch cards are required, and two poles are allowed. But night fishing is banned.
Officials said catch-and-release is allowed until anglers catch and keep their annual limit.
Fisheries managers suggest using heavy gear — at least 50-pound test line and a leader. They suggest using hooks that are 14/0 or smaller.
Sturgeon that are released should not be removed from the water, officials said.
The hatchery is opened annually to help control overstocking.
British Columbia iniatiated a white sturgeon hatchery program on Lake Roosevelt in 2001 and Washington state in 2004. From 2,000-12,000 sturgeon were released into the reservoir between 2001 and 2010.
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