Action: Closes retention of sturgeon.
Effective date: Jan. 10–April 30, 2026.
Species affected: White Sturgeon
Location: Columbia River from John Day Dam to McNary Dam and all adjacent Washington tributaries.
Reason for action: Based on current catch rates and projected effort, continuing the fishery after Friday, Jan. 9, would exceed the harvest guideline of 105 fish. As a result, there are not enough fish remaining within the guideline to allow for additional retention opportunities. Sturgeon populations are managed under sustainable harvest guidelines and in-season conservation measures are necessary to ensure future sport fishing opportunities.
Additional information: John Day Pool remains open for catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon on days not open to retention, as do many other stretches of the Columbia River. Learn more about 2026 sturgeon fisheries on WDFW's blog.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Southwest Region office, phone: 360-696-6211