Best Techniques to Catch Giant White Sturgeon on the Columbia River

The white sturgeon is one of the largest and strongest freshwater fish in North America, with the Columbia River having the highest population of this species worldwide. As you can imagine, it’s one of the most popular species in the world!

This species is a prehistoric fish that can live for over 200 years! If you’re planning to attempt catching one of these giants in the Columbia River, you have to be extra prepared. Take a look at these best techniques to catch giant white sturgeon on the Columbia River!

How to Catch Giant White Sturgeon on the Columbia River

The Columbia River is broken into different sections, which can help anglers target certain fish species better in hopes to help find them, and in this case, it’s sturgeon.

You can find sturgeon in decent numbers along the river from Bonneville Dam through Portland and Vancouver, along with the estuaries around Astoria. When the river nears the Pacific Ocean, the more expansive it becomes. Sturgeon will head to this area for access not only to the wide estuaries but to the others throughout the coastal region. That’s all thanks to the different food available to them, including clams, crabs, sand shrimp, and fish.

Here are more helpful things to know as you attempt to catch giant white sturgeon on the Columbia River:

When to Go

The Columbia River estuary would hold sturgeon year-round. The most popular time to head to the estuary is during late spring to early summer, when the population is particularly high.

Note that this time frame is when fisheries in Oregon and Washington would be open on specific days to limited harvests of this fish, and when allowed to keep, they must be within a specific size range.

Sturgeon fishing may slow a bit during the mid-to-late summer when the Columbia River is warm. The bite will return when the waters begin to cool come fall. If you’re really keen and want to catch giant white sturgeon on the Columbia River, try fishing during winter!

Where to Go

Besides what was mentioned above (Portland-Vancouver area), make sure you head to deeper waters with a good current. There are also other places you can head to, including:

• Kelley Point Park, Portland
• Near pilings at the mouth of the Willamette River
• Above Portland, particularly in the Columbia River Gorge below Bonneville Dam. They are known to have oversized sturgeon. Note that these fish are strictly caught and released.
• Below Bonneville Dam holes largest sturgeon but you must read the regulations carefully as the area also holds closure areas to protect key spawning areas.

Rules and Regulations

Even if the sturgeon is a catch-and-release fish, they require a special permit, which is why it’s important to check the local regulations before you head to the river to fish. Many reservoirs upriver would have some harvest allowed on annual quotas, which are set at specific times of the year.

Sometimes, they open at the start of the year, and the fisheries close once the quotas are reached. The closures happen quicker with harvests becoming restricted in the lower river.

Lake Roosevelt is a growing sturgeon fishery in the Columbia River. It’s the uppermost reservoir located in northern Washington, stretching for about 150 miles.

Best Techniques to Catch Giant White Sturgeon on the Columbia River

When learning the technique to catch giant white sturgeon on the Columbia River, it’s important to know the fish’s behavior. Sturgeon would feed almost entirely on slow-moving and freshly-killed prey. They don’t find interest in chasing lures, only rarely grabbing lured fishes with bait and scent.

A common way to catch giant white sturgeon on the Columbia River is to rig up bait and cast out. Afterward, place the fishing rod in a holder, setting the reel to a free spool with the clicker set.

There will be times when the sturgeon would snatch up bait and then immediately take off. If you don’t set the reel to free spooling, say goodbye to your entire setup, from bait to rod!

As you wait, closely watch your rod tip as the bite is usually extremely light. That’s because sturgeon would be similar to a vacuum, sucking up the bait to chew and spit out if they don’t like it. The challenging part is how they will hold still the entire time, so you must be wary.

The rod tip will bounce a bit so if you sense a light bite, pick it up right away. When you feel a harder tug, set your hook as hard as possible and set it again. Sturgeon have thick rubbery mouths that won’t penetrate with a hook that easily, so set the hook hard and set it multiple times to avoid losing the sturgeon. Also, we recommend using sharp hooks and replacing your current hooks if they are dull.

Alright, so what happens once you hook a sturgeon and it’s now taking line?

Hold your rod tight and keep your line taught, never allow it to go slack as the fish can throw the hook or injure them. Set your drag as tight as possible and use the rod and drag to wear the sturgeon out as it tries making pulls and runs. Once the sturgeon is tired, prepare to bring it to the net, snap some photos, and release them to the waters again! Congratulations!

Wrapping It Up

When in the Columbia River, keep your eyes and senses peeled for a glimpse of the white sturgeon. You never know, it may be your lucky day and you can catch one with the help of the crew from your charter!

If you’re trying to catch giant white sturgeon on the Columbia River, make sure to prepare ahead and keep these techniques in mind. Also, why not consider joining a fishing charter to heighten your chances of success? Contact us now for more details!

Spring Walleye Fishing on the Columbia River

The Columbia River offers one of the best walleye fishing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. After all, it’s got the best walleye fishery in the area, with many anglers saying that the next world record of the walleye will likely come from the river!

Whatever the case will be, spring walleye fishing on the Columbia River will always be worth it because you can surely catch many of them with the right timing, equipment, technique, and a bit of luck.

But how can you go about it, exactly? Read on as we share our guide on spring walleye fishing on the Columbia River!

Spring Walleye Fishing on the Columbia River

The Columbia River is a huge body of water with tons of fishing spots. If you plan on catching walleye, then one of the best locations would likely be in the Dalles Pool. This is also called Lake Celilo, stretching from The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam.

Dalles Pool and the mid-Columbia River area offer some of the best fishing opportunities when targeting walleye. You also get some of the best walleye fishing here when looking for a place to fish near Portland.

Moreover, you can find excellent walleye fishing opportunities farther up the Columbia River and north into Washington state.

Let’s delve deeper into the other things you must know when it comes to spring walleye fishing on the Columbia River:

Fishing Regulations

The Columbia River is free for fishing all year round for warm water species, and this includes the walleye. As of writing, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife does not have specific bag limits for walleye. The same goes for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

That said, using live fish as bait isn’t allowed when targeting any species.

Moreover, the Columbia River is closed to boat fishing from the first 3,000 feet below the John Day Dam. Not to worry, as you can go bank-angling when you are over 600 feet below the fishway entrance.

Boat anglers must have a valid angling license. Their fishing license can come from Washington or Oregon when fishing in mainstream Columbia. Furthermore, you can launch from either state’s shores.

However, you must possess a license from the state you are fishing in, particularly when fishing in sloughs, tributaries, and other similar waters of the main Columbia River.

Continue to stay updated with the current OFDW rules and regulations.

When to Go Walleye Fishing

While you can go walleye fishing all year long, you will want to catch them during the dead of winter or late winter. That said, spring is also an excellent time to target this species!

Early walleye fishing begins in March, with April being a good pre-spawn fishing month. Avoid fishing in May, as walleye are less active during this main spawn season. Rather, you’ll want to target them again come June to July, which is their post-spawn period.

Where to Catch Walleye

If you are fishing in the Dalles Pool from March to April, it’s recommended to launch the boat at Rufus, fishing in the upper areas of the pool a bit below the John Day Dam. More specifically, you’ll want to target walleye in the following areas:

• Preacher’s Eddy
• The Willows
• Rufus Run

As for the specific spots to find walleye, it’s important to remember that this species is schooling fish always looking for structure to shield them from the main current while allowing them to ambush and prey passing by.

As such, you will surely find them against the bottom, usually behind rocks, stumps, ledges, or in places outside the current. You can begin looking for walleye between 18-38 feet deep. That said, it will also heavily depend on the shifts of currents, water temperatures, and food sources.

Walleye Fishing Techniques

When spring walleye fishing in the Columbia River, you will want to go jigging or trolling. You may also want to try crankbaits!

Trolling

When the wind picks up during the day, you will want to troll with bottom walkers and a worm harness. Troll rigs in a downstream direction, which is typically the way food sources drift down to walleye.

Depending on the depth and current, you can use rigs anywhere between 1.5 to 3 ounces. The weight must be enough to keep the line in the water at a 45-degree angle.

Jigging

Jigging is best used when the winds are calm or very light. We recommend the vertical jigging technique below the boat. When doing this, do NOT use a lot of action!

Rather, you should only move the jig within 8-18 inches of the zone. There are various kinds of jigs you can use here, like plain lead heads with nightcrawlers or curly-tail plastic worms.

Crankbaits

When the weather begins to warm, you’ll want to continue jigging and trolling. However, try adding crankbaits as well.

Compared to waters, you can troll your crankbaits upstream and give them proper action. Try slow trolls so you can provoke a strike from walleyes that protect their territory.

When using certain lures, try finding patterns with green shades, such as the fire tiger, blue-black, or chartreuse colors.

Just like any other presentation, your crankbait needs to be on the bottom. If ever the bill isn’t scratched after meeting rocks, you aren’t doing it properly. If this is the case, you can change it to a deeper-diving lure or head to shallower waters. Your lure should tap the bottom with the rocks and walleyes!

Wrapping It Up

We hope that our guide on spring walleye fishing on the Columbia River helped you out! Now that you know more about how to catch walleye, why not begin planning your trip to the Columbia River soon?

Contact us now for fishing charter services so you can increase your chances of catching more walleye while having the time of your life!

The History of the Great White Sturgeon

When you plan to fish along Oregon, you’ve probably heard about white sturgeon. This is one of the dream species an angler will ever reel in and for many great reasons.

The white sturgeon is the largest gamefish in Oregon and one of the largest freshwater fish around the world. There are reports of anglers catching and releasing sturgeon of over ten feet in the Columbia River. We’ve also heard of people catching white sturgeon up to a whopping 20 feet long!

Learn more about this monster fish and check out the history of the great white sturgeon here.

About White Sturgeon

Here are a few fun facts about this monster fish we know as the white sturgeon:

• White sturgeon are huge, with the biggest one on record caught in 1898. It weighed over 1,500 pounds! They can live to be over a century old, growing continuously throughout their lives.
• The white sturgeon’s skin is covered in bony plates rather than scales. These are called scutes and are very sharp on younger fish.
• Similar to sharks, sturgeon skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone.
• Sturgeon has a suction cup-like mouth, eating mollusks and small invertebrate at a young age. As they grow into adults, they feed on fish.
• These fish are born in freshwater and while they can enter seawater, this isn’t necessary to complete the lifecycle. Their spawning season will depend on the water temperature, water currents, and day length. Females can release up to 3 million eggs, with fertilized eggs sticking to the river bottom once they come into contact with it.

History of the Great White Sturgeon

Sturgeons are one of the most ancient animals in oceans and rivers today, swimming in the bottom waters since the Early Cretaceous period. That was over 100 million years ago! Thanks to the fish’s shark-like cartilaginous skeletons, bony diamond-shaped plats, and scale-less skin, these fish swam around even way before the evolution of the T-Rex.

During the European Contact, sturgeon heavily populated North American waters. But just like lobster, early settlers ignored this species. This may be due to the species’ appearance and unfamiliarity with the sturgeon. Back then, they also didn’t know how good sturgeon’s eggs were when salt-cured.

Ross Cox, an Irishman who traded for furs in the Pacific Northwest, wrote about his experience with sturgeon in the early 1800s. He described it as a royal fish at the mouth of the Columbia. Back then, you would find plentiful prime sturgeon from August to September in great sizes. Some of them were 11 feet long and weighed a whipping 300-400 pounds! These weren’t even close to the biggest sturgeon recorded today, with the biggest one (as we know) being almost 14 feet long and over 1,500 pounds.

Despite sturgeon’s abundance back in the day, European and American traders didn’t consider the fish as a significant product. The first commercial fisheries focused more on salmon and even saw sturgeon as monstrous trash that got in the way of business!

It was only in the 1880s that the demand for sturgeon grew in Columbia, which was also when businessmen brought icing technology to the area. Fishermen started capturing sturgeon so aggressively that the species was almost rendered extinct along the river within two decades!

Fast forward to today, recreational and commercial fishermen are eager to land their hands on a huge, prehistoric fish. That said, they aren’t allowed to take them home, as they are now considered catch-and-release, no matter the size.

Tips on Catching Great White Sturgeon

Now that you learned more about the history of the great white sturgeon, you’re probably interested in trying to reel one in for the bragging rights! Here are a few tips you can follow to achieve that:

• If you’re looking at where to target white sturgeon, we recommend the Columbia River, Willamette River, Oregon Coast, Nehalem Bay, Tillamook Bay, Yaquina Bay, Siuslaw Bay, Winchester Bay, and Coos Bay. The Columbia River and Oregon Coast are the most popular sturgeon fishing spots.
• A sturgeon’s diet consists of fish, eels, worms, clams, and other similar. When packing baits, bring and use smelt, shad, squid, and shrimp, among others. Go for the smellier ones. Live and cut bait is the best way to lure sturgeon.
• Sturgeon don’t usually move through fish ladders and over waterfalls as steelhead and salmon do. Rather, they would move between freshwater and salt water to search for food and spawning.
• Since white sturgeon are heavily regulated, it’s crucial to stay updated on ODFW’s state regulations, as this can change regularly. Fortunately, white sturgeon numbers are seeing modest improvements, with the ODFW opening sturgeon retention days recently along the lower Columbia River system.
• When casting a line for sturgeon, you will want to rig up your bait fish and cast out. This is because sturgeon would feast on slow-moving and freshly-killed pray, making the fishing technique fairly simple.
• When fishing for sturgeon, you can use the standard 6-9′ rod, provided it is lightly tipped. Even if sturgeon are huge and powerful, they are actually light biters. Your rod must also be able to hold at least 80 pounds and run enough line. Opt for 250 years of the line.
• Choose hooks carefully. Because they have leathery thick mouths, you’ll want to use something that can penetrate them, like circle and octopus hooks.
• Besides the appropriate fishing gear and equipment, you must have a Columbia River Basin endorsement when fishing for white sturgeon, steelhead, and salmon in the Columbia River. You will also need the appropriate fishing license and tags.

Wrapping It Up

We hope you learned a lot about the history of the great white sturgeon from our article! If you would like to target this unique, humongous species on your next fishing trip in Oregon, contact us now. We offer excellent charter services in various areas of Oregon for your fun and safety.

Coolest Sites to See Near Newport Oregon

Oregon is filled with so many exciting things to do and see for locals and tourists alike. There’s always something for everyone in this beautiful state, whether you’re up for an adventure, learning history, or hungry for food trips. But if you’re on a limited time for vacation, you’re probably trying to squeeze everything in, starting with the coolest sites to see near Newport Oregon.

Well, we’ve got the perfect list for you! Read on as we share the coolest sites to see near Newport Oregon to add to your itinerary.

Coolest Sites to See Near Newport Oregon

Newport sits in the middle of Oregon’s Pacific Coast, with humble beginnings as a fishing village. Today, it is home to many luxury beach resorts, historical attractions, delicious restaurants, and many more!

If you’re wondering what to expect, here are some of the coolest sites to see near Newport Oregon.

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is about a ten-minute drive to the north of Newport. It’s a must-see with dramatic coastal scenery and many outdoor activities to do. Moreover, it’s topped by the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, which is Oregon’s tallest lighthouse that’s been around since 1873.

You can hike at the park’s trails and learn about the attraction’s nature and history. You may even get to go harbor seal and whale watching.

Newport Historic Bayfront

This is one of the most popular places to visit in Newport, having a ton of attractions, shops, and restaurants to try. From here, you can find everything you want and need, from fantastic seafood restaurants down to souvenir shops. This is also where Wax Works and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not are located. Besides that, you can check out the fish market, visit art galleries, or take a break in a cozy café.

Since the Newport Historic Bayfront harbors a fishing fleet, you can enjoy the view of boats bobbing about the bay, along with sea lions around the area now and then!

Nye Beach

Nye Beach is a must-see because of its historic neighborhood, thriving art scene, and of course, the golden sands. It is a charming location attracting artists to its shores for inspiration, thus being the city’s cultural center.

It lies alongside the Pacific Ocean, boasting a stunningly soft, sandy beach with striking sunrises and sunsets. From here, you can sunbathe, swim, surf, and even go tide pooling and beachcombing. Take a long walk and you can find quaint cottages and countless shops to buy souvenirs or food.

Devil’s Punch Bowl

The Devil’s Punch Bowl is about 15 minutes away from the coast of Newport, one of the most spectacular natural sites you’ll see in the state. It is now protected as part of the state’s natural area, offering a ton of photo opportunities.

This attraction was founded in 1929, centering around the large natural bowl. This isn’t a manmade bowl, but something magical created by the pounding waves of the Pacific Ocean over the centuries and millennia. When you look down into Devil’s Punch Bowl, you’ll see the waters foaming, swirling, and roaring violently!

Besides appreciating the waters, you can also spot whales, check out more rock formations offshore, or even enjoy other activities like surfing, picnicking, and tide pooling in the park.

Seal Rock State Park

This is a picturesque spot that’s about 15 minutes from Newport. Besides the gorgeous rock formations, you may witness amazing wildlife, like sea birds, seals, and sea lions.

The Seal Rock State Park has been protected since 1929, known for its distinctive rock formations offshore. You can also walk around the area to explore the tidal pools and rest on the beach.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is ranked as one of the best aquariums in North America, and for many great reasons. You can find a ton of exhibits that show everything to learn about the state’s marine life, from seals, sea lions, and sea otters, to stingrays and starfish.

The aquarium has been open since 1992 and continues to entertain and teach children and adults alike. You can watch marine animals from the exhibits and aquariums, or head out to the open sea and coral reefs.

Eat a Lot!

Visiting all the coolest sites to see near Newport Oregon will surely have anyone build an appetite. Don’t forget to try some of the amazing restaurants in the city! Here are our recommendations when in Newport:

• Chowder Bowl – This is located at Nye Beach, where you can taste some of the best clam chowders. Their award-winning chowder uses local ingredients and has been around since the 1980s, so you’re sure you’re getting authentic and delicious dishes.
• Georgie’s Beachside Grill – This is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Newport with a view. You can head over here with family or your partner, where you can expect stellar service, huge portions of food, and delicious Yaquina Bay oysters.
• Panini Bakery – Don’t forget dessert! This is a local favorite that sells sweet pastries and savory dishes like sandwiches and pizza. They also serve energizing house coffee!
• Rogue Nation Brewery & Spirits – For those hankering for a good drink, you can enjoy a pint here at this pub.

Wrapping It Up

We hope that our list of the coolest sites to see near Newport Oregon helped you out! Now that you know where to go, start planning your trip and enjoy the beauty Oregon has to offer.

And hey, don’t forget to do one of the most popular activities in the state: Fishing! Whether you are a beginner or seasoned angler, you can join fishing charters or hire a fishing guide so you have more chances of catching fish and learning new things about Oregon waters. Contact us now to learn more about what we have to offer.

Where to Get the Best Seafood in Newport Oregon

No matter where you go if you’re on a vacation, then food trips are a must. If you’re in Newport, specifically, then you’ve GOT to try their seafood restaurants. You’ll be surrounded by a smorgasbord of delicious restaurants that pride themselves in their fresh seafood and catches of the day. After all, Newport is known for being one of the best fishing destinations with many charters and guides to help you out.

But with all this delicious food, you probably realize that your stomach can only hold so much. Plus, you wouldn’t want to spend money on restaurants that aren’t worth the hype! That’s why we’re here to help you out as we share the best seafood in Newport Oregon you must try. Read on!

The Best Seafood in Newport Oregon

You can always expect spectacular seafood dishes when in Newport. Try any of these restaurants to get a taste of the freshest catches and fantastic cooking skills from Newport’s best.

Clearwater Restaurant

This is one of the best places to have a romantic dinner with your loved one, with the incredible ocean views and glorious dishes setting the atmosphere. It’s one of the many reasons why Clearwater Restaurant continuously wins the Best of Newport awards yearly.

You’ve got a whole view of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and such a bright ambiance that makes you want to relax and stay all day. And let’s not forget the lip-smacking food!

Douglas Soriano is Clearwater’s chef, who has over two decades of experience cooking in gourmet restaurants. You can only expect the best, with his dishes being a feast for the eyes and palate.

Here are some of the dishes we recommend getting:

• Pink shrimp and crab melt
• Miso chicken skewers
• Avocado fries (these are quinoa-crusted with homemade chipotle ranch

Georgie’s Beachside Grill 

Georgie’s Beachside Grill offers one of the best clam chowders in the state, besides Newport Chowder Bowl. The moment you enter the restaurant, two of the first things you’ll notice are the appetizing smell of all the dishes and the terrific view. The Pacific Ocean will unfold from the tableside windows, setting the scene for a memorable dining experience.

Afterward, you’ll notice many other great things, like the warm customer service you receive down to the crafted cocktails created by talented bartenders. This is even a family-friendly restaurant where you’ll find kids happy and enjoying everything, which is why it’s a favorite among locals and tourists.

While you might think this is a fancy restaurant with small portions or luxe foie gras dishes, it’s the complete opposite! Expect huge portions of mouthwatering authentic Northwest American cuisine, emphasizing more on the seafood.

You can enjoy a big plate of halibut, salmon Dungeness crabs, Yaquina Bay oysters, and the infamous Diablo Seafood Pasta. There are even separate menus for children and those who are gluten-free and vegetarian. There will be something for everyone!

Newport Chowder Bowl 

When you walk around Nye Beach, you’ll find an entire strip of restaurants and shops for you to enjoy. The Newport Chowder Bowl isn’t hard to miss, because it’s well known by many for its fantastic food, and of course, its clam chowder.

You’ve got to try more than their chowder through, they’ve got terrific seafood entries, too. If you’re not feeling seafood that day, they also offer certified Angus burgers, salads, homemade desserts, and so much more!

This restaurant has quite a history, with the Chowder Bowl itself being around since 1980. Today, their chowder reigns supreme and the restaurant’s surrounding area is now a quaint village filled with many things to do and a beach to have fun on just a few steps away. You’ll also enjoy the preserved architecture and vast history from the 1920s to the 30s.

We highly recommend walking down the picturesque streets to work up an appetite and get a huge bowl of hot clam chowder in a cannon bowl bread bowl. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it!

Saffron Salmon 

If you want beautiful harbor views as you enjoy your food, then you can’t beat Saffron Salmon. It’s perched on the edge of the pier, overlooking the vast waters that provide diners with the main ingredients of the restaurant’s menu. The restaurant design features bright and expansive windows so you get the entire scenery as you enjoy a glass of northwest wine or craft beer.

Of course, you’ll enjoy a lot of their seafood favorites as well, such as the squid puttanesca linguini. They also offer delectable meat dishes and sweets, such as the local lamb burger and marionberry cobbler.

Fishtails Café

The Fishtails Café is located on a humbler side of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, a simple and no-frills seafood diner that exudes the charm of the modest small town with a welcoming staff.

If you love breakfast, then you can enjoy breakfast all day here, with the menu filled with platters of eggs, toast, and hashbrowns with the fresh catch of the day. We recommend ordering the clam fritters, crabcakes, and marionberry pancakes! You’ll definitely exit the restaurant with a full stomach and happy smiles, ready for more of what Newport offers.

For breakfast-loving patrons who want something without too many fancy features in their restaurant, this is the place for you.

Wrapping It Up

Did you find the best seafood in Newport Oregon from our list? We sure hope you did! If any restaurants caught your eye, make sure to add them to your itinerary when you head to Newport for vacation.

And hey, don’t forget to add fishing trips to your travel plans, too. Contact us now so you can book a fishing guide or charter so you can have a memorable excursion whether you’re going solo or with family and friends.