Anglers packed the Columbia River’s Bonneville Pool on Monday for a rare one‑day white sturgeon retention opportunity, drawing sizable crowds but ultimately keeping harvest numbers within state‑set limits. According to reporting by The Columbian, participation was high, but fishery managers confirmed that anglers did not exceed the retention quota as they had during last year’s opener.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had authorized the single retention day after reviewing catch projections and determining that the fishery could support a limited harvest window. Those projections aligned with guidelines shared in recent agency updates, including population and harvest benchmarks that govern sturgeon seasons across Columbia River pools. For this season, state fishery planners set the Bonneville Pool’s recreational harvest guideline at 1,250 fish, as outlined in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s overview of the 2026 retention season available through a recent agency notice at WDFW’s sturgeon fishery update.

Monday’s retention day followed months of shifting conditions and adjustments. State managers had earlier delayed the 2026 keeper season to later in the winter, citing unusually warm water temperatures and high effort during past early‑season openers. Forecasts called for cooler, wetter weather in the Columbia Gorge later in February, which biologists expected would help moderate angling pressure and catch rates.

Regulations for the one‑day event limited anglers to one retained white sturgeon between 38 and 54 inches fork length, consistent with statewide slot‑length rules posted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Catch‑and‑release fishing remains open in the Bonneville Pool on all non‑retention days.

Fishery managers are expected to review Monday’s harvest data to determine whether any additional retention opportunities might be feasible later this season. Additional context on expected harvest levels across the Bonneville and Dalles pools can be found in regionally reported estimates at Northwest Sportsman Magazine’s coverage, which outlined earlier projections for the February 16 opener.

The sturgeon fishery, closely monitored under joint Washington–Oregon management, remains an important cultural and recreational resource across Southwest Washington. State agencies continue to advise anglers to consult emergency rules and updated guidance before fishing, as retention opportunities can shift quickly based on real‑time harvest monitoring.

Sources:

The Columbian: One-day Bonneville sturgeon retention crowded, as expected, but catch high

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife: Sturgeon fishery update for 2026

Northwest Sportsman Magazine: Proposed one-day retention opener projections