What to Learn About Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing

Columbia River is known for the many fishing opportunities there are for various species, especially sturgeons. The area offers one of the best sturgeon fishing experiences on the West Coast! However, sturgeon numbers have declined throughout the years, due to sea lion predation and food source reduction.

In response to the decreasing population, the lower section below the Bonneville Dam was closed for sturgeon retention back in 2014. Not to worry though, as Columbia River sturgeon fishing is still very much alive!

Read on as I show you an informative guide on how to fish for sturgeon in the Columbia River.

Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing

There is much to learn about Columbia River Sturgeon fishing, which is an exciting activity all anglers are aiming for when in the area. Check out the facts you should know when you’re targeting sturgeon in Columbia River below!

The White Sturgeon and Columbia River

If you aren’t familiar with the white sturgeon, they are the world’s largest freshwater fish! This is considered as a prehistoric and primitive fish, having large bony plates, long and flat snouts, as well as deep-forked tails.

All the sturgeon you’ll find in Columbia River are white sturgeons. These are monster fish preying on the bottom of the river as they migrate from the Bonneville Dam to Astoria.

These fish are bottom feeders, so when you fish for them, it’s best to anchor the boat and use fresh bait. They have 4 barbels nearing the snouts, which is used for feeling and smelling.

You can expect to catch sturgeons that weigh more than 100 pounds from April to September. Furthermore, these fish can grow up to 15 feet long and live up to 150 years old, so expect a challenge!

When hooked, these monsters would usually jump repeatedly, so ready your strength and fishing skills.

This is why Columbia River is extremely popular, thanks to the white sturgeons, also known as the Monsters of thee River. There are even trophy sturgeons that are 7-12 feet long, weighing anything between 150-1000 pounds!

When you fight and reel in fish this large, you’ll need more than 100 yards of fishing line out within mere seconds. And if you do catch it, it will take about an hour just to get it on the boat! Exhilarating, isn’t it?

Tips on Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing

If you plan on trying to catch sturgeon, here are a few helpful tips you can follow:

• Huge white sturgeon would bite various baits. Fishing guides recommend using anchovies, squid, and sand shrimp. Smelt and shad also make great bait when they begin running, depending on the season.
• In Columbia River, the sturgeon’s favorite feeding ground is in the estuary. This is because it has a ton of bait fish, shrimp, worms, among other food sources that these monster fish love. It’s best to fish around the shallow areas of the Desdemona Sands.
• Look for holes around the vast flats and opt to fish during smaller tides. Besides the estuary, you’ll want to try going to Baker Bay.
• This is a pretty strong fish, so make sure that you use robust equipment, from your fishing rods down to the line. Opt for muskie gear and/or the strongest freshwater gear you have, as sturgeons will fight, and these fights can last for an hour or so! With heavy gear, you can pull in sturgeon quicker and put less stress on the fish, which will be better for releasing.
• When a sturgeon does bite, they won’t hammer and it would actually be a subtle bite with swimming weight or taps. You don’t need to use hard hook sets with circle hooks. Instead, tighten your line through reeling, then moving the rod away from the sturgeon.

The Columbia River Zone Regulations

Of course, you shouldn’t forget about the rules and regulations when going Columbia River Sturgeon fishing! One thing you should remember is that they are catch0and-release fish. This was implemented to help with the sturgeon populations.

These are a few of the notable rules and regulations to take note of:

1. Oregon and Washington resident and non-resident fishing licenses are valid, unless the state’s season is closed. Anglers who aren’t Washington residents should carry a valid Oregon angling or shellfish license when they are landing fish and/or taking shellfish by boat in the area.
2. Anglers can only have one daily catch limit for all fish species when fishing in the Columbia River, even if they are licensed in either Oregon or Washington. Furthermore, there is a restriction of one annual catch limit of white sturgeon.
3. You may only keep white sturgeon that measures 44-50 inches, measuring from their nose tip down to their tail.

You can learn more about the different regulations of the state and in Columbia River here, as they also have exceptions to the rules! It’s also best to hire a fishing charter and fishing guide to take you around Columbia River as they are knowledgeable on the rules and can also help you land a couple of fish.

Sturgeon Fishing Post-Pandemic

Are you a bit iffy about Columbia River sturgeon fishing amid the pandemic, not to worry! Sturgeon fishing has opened since May 10, 2021, in the Columbia River estuary. They are open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Wauna power lines. Take note that it will close every 2PM.

However, do watch out for emergency rule updates and news about Columbia River sturgeon fishing here!

Wrapping It Up

When fishing for sturgeons in Columbia River, you will need to make sure that you follow the proper rules and regulations! Also, you may want to charter an experienced fishing guide with you to help you increase your chances of getting a catch. That way, you’ll have a fun and memorable experience as you go on catching sturgeons!

Did you learn a lot about Columbia River sturgeon fishing? I sure hope you did! Don’t wait any longer and plan your trip to the Columbia River for fishing opportunities and contact us for fishing charters or guides for a fun experience!

How to Best Prepare Fresh Columbia River Walleye

When in the Columbia River, you might catch a walleye or two, along with many other types of fish! They are pretty popular around the area and are best to target between the spring and summer months, during the warmer days. If you caught your trophy and plan to show it off during your next meal with family and friends, the question is: How do you cook it?

The options are limitless! If you want a unique and delicious dish to impress everyone with your cooking and fishing skills, read on! I’ll be showing you how to best prepare Fresh Columbia River Walleye with these 3 easy and yummy recipes.

How to Best Prepare Fresh Columbia River Walleye

The Columbia River is one of the most popular areas for walleye fishing. As long as you follow the rules and regulations when fishing for walleye, you can bring home fish to prepare as a dish! And of course, you have to know when to go, as well as the techniques and gear to use when fishing for walleye.

What’s amazing about the walleye is that there are so many ways to prepare it! Here are some of the yummy recipes when you want to prepare fresh Columbia River walleye:

Northern Fingers

If you want a nice snack for the kids (or even adults) to enjoy, then Northern Fingers are something to munch on! Pair this recipe with fries to make fish and chips to make a meal out of it.

Here are the ingredients:

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 900 grams of skinless walleye fillets
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 ¼ cups of salted pretzels
• 3 tablespoons of hot sauce
• 3 tablespoons of beer

These are the instructions to follow:

1. Put the salted pretzels in a Ziploc bag, breaking them until they are finely crushed crumbs.
2. In a bowl, beat the 2 eggs, bear, and sauce using a fork until it is mixed well.
3. Cut your walleye filets into 1-inch wide strips, then pat it dry with tissue.
4. Dip the walleye strips into the egg mixture and place it in the bag with the pretzel crumbs. Shake the bag until the walleye strips are covered completely.
5. Pour vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet, pouring until it is ¼-inch full. Heat the oil in medium-high heat.
6. Add your walleye strips, cooking for at least 3 minutes until it is golden brown. Flip the strips just once.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy with a dip and fries, or any other favorite siding of yours!

Crispy Baked Walleye

You will love this recipe if you love the taste of crispy breaded fish without needing to fry it! It’s a bit healthier and you still have the same crunch as deep-fried fish.

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1/3 cup of dry bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup of potato flakes
• 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
• 4 walleye fillets (4 ounces each)

These are the instructions to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Grease a baking sheet.
3. In a bowl, beat the water and eggs together until it is a smooth mixture, and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the bread crumbs, potato flakes, parmesan cheese, and seasoned salt together until mixed well.
5. Dip your walleye fillets in the egg mixture, and then press it to the bread crumb mixture.
6. Place your prepared walleye fillets on the greased baking sheet.
7. Bake the fillets in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. You will know the fish is ready when it is opaque in the middle, flaking easily using a fork.
8. Serve with sauce and your favorite side dish. Enjoy!

Hot Walleye Dip

Besides frying and baking walleye, did you know that you can make it into a dip as well? This tastes delicious and goes well with chips or even used as a spread for sandwiches and on bread for appetizers!

Here are the ingredients:

• 340 grams of walleye
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of hot sauce
• ¼ cup of green onion, chopped
• ¼ cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ cup of bread crumbs
• 1 cup of parmesan cheese

These are the instructions to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt your butter, adding the chopped onions and walleye after. Cook this mixture for around 5 minutes, or when the walleye are cooked.
3. Using a spatula, flake your walleye then stir the butter and onion together. Set this aside.
4. Mix your cream cheese with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Then, add the lemon juice, paprika, parsley, and hot sauce. Stir this mixture well.
5. Press your cream cheese mixture in a baking dish or pie pan. Add the walleye flakes on top of your cream cheese mixture, pressing it with the cooked onions.
6. Top it off with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, as well as a pinch of paprika.
7. Bake this at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or once you see it hot and bubbling.
8. Take it out of the oven and serve with bread and/or chips. Enjoy!

Wrapping It Up

Catching walleye is fun, especially when you’re on a fishing charter learning the ropes. Do you know what else is just as fun? Cooking it and showing off your catch and delicious dish to family and friends right after!

Hope you got a ton of inspiration and ideas from these yummy recipes you can make with walleye! If you’ve caught walleye or plan to catch it when in the Columbia River, keep these meals in mind to try out once you get to the kitchen.

Why Charter an Experienced Fishing Guide on the Willamette River

The Columbia River is one of the most popular fishing destinations for locals and those heading to Oregon. However, that’s not the only area where you can get awesome catches with stunning views! For those who want something more unique, then you’ll want to head to Willamette River.

It’s a small yet amazing destination without anglers having to sacrifice the fish species diversity from the Columbia River. And if you want to make the most of your fishing trip there, I highly recommend chartering an experienced fishing guide on the Willamette River.

But why, exactly? Read on as I show you why to charter an experienced fishing guide on the Willamette River!

Why Charter an Experienced Fishing Guide on the Willamette River

You’re probably wondering – Why bother chartering a fishing guide when you can go fishing on your own? Here are just some of the reasons why you should be with a fishing guide on the Willamette River:

They know everything you need to learn

Fishing guides know how to fish, from how to use the equipment down to the techniques to follow to catch certain species. Whether you’re a beginner or expert in fishing, you will learn new things from the guide and get to improve your skills. These new lessons will be put to great use not only for the day but for the future fishing trips to come!

Furthermore, fishing guides are well-knowledgeable of the fishing rules and regulations of Oregon. They know the limits of how many fish you can catch in a day and they will make sure you both don’t break any rules that can risk your fishing licenses (and hefty fees).

Navigate the waters with a pro

If you are new to Willamette River, even if it’s a smaller body of water compared to other areas, it can still be overwhelming for newbies.

This is where fishing guides come along, guiding you throughout the waters and taking you to specific areas for a sure catch! They know where the fish are based on the weather, current, water temperature, among other factors. They will also know how to navigate the waters like a pro, so you can just focus on relaxing and readying your gear to start catching fish!

This will take away to hassle of having to multitask and maneuver a boat as you fish. Furthermore, you’re ensured that you’ll be in an area where fish are most likely staying, rather than getting lost or wasting time in places with no fishing opportunities.

Plus, your fishing guide can teach you a thing or two about navigating the waters and where to find fish to catch.

Find various fish species (and a sure catch!)

There are so many different types of fish you can catch when in the Willamette River, such as:

• Salmon
• Trout
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass

If you aren’t familiar with these fish species, your fishing guide will teach you all about what they are and how to catch them. You’ll have more variety on the fish you’ll catch and get a sure bite to reel in with someone guiding you along the way!

Experienced company and great service

Besides all of the services mentioned above, one of the best benefits a fishing guide can provide is their company! Who wouldn’t want to be with experts who share the same interests as you do?

You’ll have a fishing guide that will be with you, whether alone or with a group. He’ll teach you the ropes and you’ll have insightful conversations throughout the trip! While it may be fun to fish alone, you’d want to have someone who can give you some tips or to just keep you company as you wait to get that bite.

There are a lot of guides available in Oregon

Are you hesitant to hire a guide because you believe it’s hard to find one? In Oregon, that isn’t the case! There are a lot of fishing charters and fishing guides out there ready to assist you and take you out fishing in your chosen area. Because Oregon is known for recreational fishing, there are many businesses catering to providing guides and charters to help beginner and expert anglers

That said, it can be a bit confusing knowing which fishing guide and charter is good for you and your group. You will need to choose wisely and do your research, asking about packages and quotations. You can start here with us at Pastime Fishing Adventures, where we can give you quotations and packages suitable for your group!

Hire a Fishing Charter

Besides an experienced fishing guide, you should also consider a fishing charter. With an excellent fishing charter company to take you on the Willamette River, your trip will be more fun and convenient! This is great for those who are fishing on the Willamette River for the first time, or if you’ll be with a large group of family and/or friends

No need to rent a boat and a guide necessary! Besides this, fishing charters will usually have a professional crew and a fishing guide to show you the ropes. You’ll also have all the necessary equipment on board, along with other facilities everyone will enjoy.

Wrapping It Up

The Willamette River is an amazing body of water with diverse fish species you can catch! If you’d like to get a headstart on fishing escapades, then it’s best to hire an experienced guide to navigate the waters with you. You can reap many of the advantages an experienced guide offers, including a sure catch and many lessons learned. 

Hopefully, you learned a lot about why you should charter an experienced fishing guide on the Willamette River! If you’re looking for reputable fishing guides or a fishing charter to take you out to the waters, don’t hesitate to contact us now.

Top 10 Most Romantic Things To Do in Portland, Oregon

When around Portland, Oregon, you might find it difficult to find places for a good date. Amid the pandemic, a lot of places have closed with events canceled, so things are rather restrictive. No more concerts or cozy nooks from bars, and while the cinemas are slowly opening, why not go for something more than the usual?

Portland is a great place to explore, and even during this pandemic, you can still enjoy a dating life and make new memories with people around the area. As long as you are safe and healthy, try any of these romantic things to do in Portland, Oregon!

Romantic Things to Do in Portland

If you’re out of ideas on what to do when dating in Portland, try any of these suggestions:

Hike in Forest Park

Parks are the typical date idea these days, as you are outdoors with the ability to socially distance. Plus, you get some exercise with fresh air, which can make a positive environment with a date.

Portland is home to some of the largest parks in the country, so head on out and enjoy a slow stroll, intense run, or a hike? Forest Park is the best place to go, as it covers almost 5,160 acres with up to 80 miles of trails, so you’ll never run out of places to explore!

Enjoy the thick canopy of trees that will keep you warm even as it rains, and maybe grab a bite to eat after, having much more to talk about? You can even go fishing in some parks and enjoy the water life!

Have dinner in a food cart pod

Speaking of grabbing a bite to eat, you’re probably wondering where! Portland is home to amazing restaurants and local food places, so the choices are endless.

One of the things that make Portland’s culinary scene so popular is the smorgasbord of food cart options around the area. You’ll find neighborhoods with at least one food cart, which are usually organized into pods. No need to worry about having different cravings with your date, since you can find different cuisines (like delicious salmon) that suit those taste buds.

Take advantage of happy hour

If you and your date want a drink to loosen up for deeper conversations and/or more fun, then look for open bars that have happy hour promos! You’ll find a few bars and pubs open with promos and discounts to entice customers back in as restrictions ease. There are great places that have beautiful views and an environment suitable for deep talks and lots of good times.

However, don’t drink too much, especially if you’re the designated driver!

Talk in a café

Don’t like alcohol? No problem!

Cafes are one of the go-to destinations for dates as well, which are a good option if you can only go out during the afternoon. You’ll find a lot of cafes around Portland that serve up specialty coffees, teas, and tasty pastries!

Head to the coast

If you have the whole day to spend with your date, have a road trip and head to the coast! You can head to the beach or other towns such as Seaside and Cannon Beach, where you can rent a fishing charter and make the day out of it with lots of fishing and water activities.

You’ll definitely have a memorable day with tons of photos and fun moments! However, this is more of a third or fourth date idea, not one for first dates, especially if you just met the person!

Have a picnic in the local park

You don’t need to go so far just to have fun on a date. Your local park is a nice place to head to, especially since Portland has a lot of large parks! Washington Park, Cape Arago State Park, The Rose Garden, and Portland Japanese Garden are some of the best parks around the area, to name a few.

You can plan a picnic, either taking out food from a nearby restaurant or doing it old school and packing a picnic basket with the mat and homemade food. Just make sure that you’re well-dressed for the weather and that there’s a plan B just in case it rains!

Explore the city

The city has so much to offer and if you like to stay within the hustle and bustle of it, then there are various sights and memories to experience, such as:

• Portland Brewery Bike Tour for some exercise and exploring with drinks
• Powell’s City of Books for book lovers
• Voodoo Donuts, one of the famous donut shops in Portland for dessert
  

Go to a museum 

If you and your date love art and want to explore the different creative parts of the city, then head to a museum. The Portland Art Museum is a good place to start, being an interactive destination with museum tours, rotating programs, and performances, as well as a photo booth and Art Pub!

Learn about history

Besides art museums, there are also amazing historic attractions where you can learn more about Portland, whether you’re a local or just visiting. Check out the Pittock Mansion, Architectural Heritage Center Tours, the Oregon Symphony, and more!

Relax in a hotel

This isn’t exactly made for the first few dates, but if you’re spending time with a loved one, why not hit up a fancy hotel in Portland and live the luxurious life? It’s relaxing, you get all the getaway you need from work, and you can enjoy every moment of it with your partner in crime!

Wrapping It Up

Stumped about what you and your date can do when in Portland, Oregon? You’ll be surprised with the limitless options there are, from going out to the beautiful parks down to having a bite in delicious restaurants. With good company and fun activities, you’ll probably be getting even more dates with that special someone!

Hopefully, you got ideas from these romantic things to do in Portland. If you’ve got a date coming up, plan ahead and make sure to have a memorable date to remember. Good luck!

Why Choose Newport, Oregon for Your Next Fishing Charter

Fishing charters are excellent ways for you to go fishing successfully, with better chances of getting ‘The Big One!’ And when in Newport, Oregon, fishing charters are a must, with many locals and tourists hiring charters to navigate around the waters to get sure catches.

But wait, you’re probably wondering: What does Newport have to offer when it comes to fishing? And why should it be your next destination as you get a fishing charter?

If you’re wondering, ‘why choose Newport, Oregon for your next fishing charter?’, then read on to find out the advantages of the area!

Why Choose Newport, Oregon for Your Next Fishing Charter

There are so many reasons why Newport should be your next fishing destination. These are just some of them:

Newport is a beautiful city

Newport Beach looks like a Southern California town, with a ton of sun, surfing, sandy beaches, and laidback luxury! If you’re an angler, the fishing scene here is pretty popular, too.

Newport is known for coastal fishing for inshore game fish, and the area gives you easy access to Catalina Island, so you can take on an even bigger game.

The area isn’t only known for its fishing scene, though. It’s got a ton of beaches to visit for more fun outdoor and water activities. You can find piers and jetties, go surfing, swim, or go shopping for souvenirs and delicious food. There will be something for EVERYONE, may you be a local or from out of town.

Outside the beach and waters, Newport is a great place to take a vacation in. After fishing, grab a bite to eat, where restaurants serve dishes from fresh fish like salmon. Or, you can go to the beautiful parks, lighthouses, and other historical attractions to learn more about the area!

Your entire vacation here won’t be spent fishing, of course, so let it be in an area like Newport where there is so much to do for the entire family to enjoy!

You can catch so many different fish

Newport, especially Newport Beach, is described as the heaven of game fishing. You can find a ton of different fish species here, may it be offshore pelagics or feisty inshore fish. It isn’t only for expert anglers, but for beginners and those totally new to holding a fishing rod!

In Newport Beach, you can find these fish species:

• Calico Bass
• California Halibut
• White seabass
• Yellowtail Amberjack
• Tuna
• Halibut
• Barracuda
• Sand bass
• Rockfish
• And many more!

So if you’re looking to catch the big one, Newport is the way to go.

You can fish in so many areas

Newport, as I always say, is home to so many areas to fish in! There are also a ton of fishing methods to use when in the area, making it diverse and versatile.

You can head to the Newport Harbor Entrance that has a lot of sand bass and halibut or the Newport Artificial Reef for many large and common gamefish. There is also the Corona Del Mar State Beach that is near Laguna Beach, where you can catch calico bass or sheepshead!

And of course, let’s not forget Newport Beach, where you can find a variety of fish to catch!

There are various hotels nearby

What happens after an entire day of fishing or exploring Newport? For sure, you’ll be pooped!

You wouldn’t want to go back to a hotel that looks old and dingy, or that takes miles and miles to go back to. Fortunately, Newport is home to many hotels and types of comfortable accommodation.

Many of them are located within beaches, so you simply need to walk back to your accommodation to get a good night’s sleep. These areas are accessible to the beach, attractions, shops, and modes of transportation, so you won’t have trouble going around Newport.

In Newport Beach alone, you can find the following:

• Newport Channel Inn
• Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa
• Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
• Doryman’s Newport Beach Hotel and Inn

Fishing charters are advantageous here

What’s great about Newport is that there are a ton of fishing charters you can choose from. Since it has one of the biggest recreational harbors on the West Coast, you won’t only find a ton of fish to catch and fishing stores that sell and rent equipment, you will also find different fishing charters available.

That way, planning for the ultimate fishing escapade is made even easier when in Newport!

And let’s not forget about the many helpful benefits fishing charters offer in Newport. Not only will they be able to take you to the areas rich in fish for a sure catch, but they can also provide helpful advice on navigating the waters and fishing techniques! You’ll learn a lot about the species of fish you plan to catch in specific areas and how to catch them successfully.

Furthermore, fishing charters like ours offer equipment for rent, so you won’t have to worry about bringing anything but yourself, your fishing license, and a set of extra clothes. Fishing charters have the whole day planned and you get to keep what you catch and enjoy the views while you’re at it.

Wrapping It Up

If you’re planning your next fishing escapade and want to use a fishing charter, then Newport is the way to go! With its amazing benefits and rich fishing life, you’ll have fun with your buddies as you get sure catches with professional fishing charters. Just make sure that you choose reputable fishing charters to take you to the best places to catch fish!

Hopefully, you learned a lot about fishing in Newport and why you should hire a fishing charter here. If you’re heading to Newport and looking to hire a fishing charter, contact us now and we can provide affordable quotations and topnotch services. Have fun fishing with us!