Sturgeon fishing will resume today in the Columbia River basin, ending a moratorium that began in mid-July due to warm water temperatures.
Temperatures have returned to normal, said Guy Norman, regional manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. More than 80 sturgeon were killed during the heat wave.
“The extreme conditions that was subjecting sturgeon to stress have passed,â’’ Norman said. “We believe it’s safe to reopen fishing in areas of the river closed since mid-July.’’
Anglers now may catch and release sturgeon in the Columbia and its tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam. No sturgeon retention seasons currently are open.
