Astoria Sturgeon Fishing Charter on the Columbia River
We offer guided sturgeon fishing trips on the Lower Columbia River near Astoria from May through July. Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River is mainly a catch and release fishery with some limited days for retention in May and June. The retention dates are usually set a month or two before the season starts. You can find updated regulation information in our Fishing Report, on our Facebook page, or the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. Sturgeon fishing is a very unique experience that is fun for the whole family. Many of our guests mention sore arms the next day after battling so many large, hard fighting fish.
2019 STURGEON RETENTION DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!
The Columbia River Sturgeon Fishery
The prehistoric white sturgeon start flooding into the lower Columbia River from the ocean in May to feed on the huge schools of anchovies and other baitfish that progressively become more numerous as the summer goes on. Then in July, the water warms up to 70 degrees which really triggers the bite. Sturgeon lack good eye sight and teeth. They use their long tubular, stretchy vacuum sweeper mouth to suck food from the murky bottom. Depending largely on their sense of smell they search out their prey that consists of fish, small crustaceans, mollusks, and even insects. This is truly a world class fishery for a Columbia River fishing guide due to the fact that on an average trip you can easily catch 15-30 fish or more that can weigh from 50-250 lbs. each! So good in fact that Animal Planet filmed one of their “River Monsters” television shows here.
How We Catch the Largest Sturgeon
Sturgeon are caught with heavy gear utilizing a variety of baits. Squid, sand shrimp, anchovies, and nightcrawlers are just a few of the baits we use to catch these iconic fish. Depending on the tide we anchor fish in either deep channels or on shallow sand flats. Nothing beats going on a guided fishing trip and catching a 100 lb plus sturgeon in two feet of water! This fishing takes place out of our 22’ River Wild power boat where we can accommodate up to 6 anglers.
Your Guided Fishing Trip for Columbia River Sturgeon
Your Columbia River sturgeon guided fishing trip will embark from either the John Day, Aldrich Point or East Mooring Basin Boat Ramps. The weather that time of year can be very unpredictable so come prepared for either sunshine, rain or wind. Typically the weather is fairly nice during the sturgeon fishing season. On certain days the northwest winds tend to become stronger in the afternoon or after the first tide change late morning or afternoon. Most often when the winds become too strong is usually when we call it a day. That works out perfectly most of the time as our guests have already had their fill of catching more fish than their arms can handle!
You’ll want to bring with you your Oregon fishing license, lunch and snacks, and weather appropriate clothing. Most often during the summer months, you’ll want sunglasses, sunscreen and to wear layers you can shed as the weather changes.
Fishing for Sturgeon is Jam Packed Fun for Everyone
Book your trip with a Columbia River sturgeon fishing guide and everyone of all ages is sure to enjoy it! Early summer weather makes sturgeon fishing perfect for anglers young and old alike. Many people enjoy taking out the whole family for an action-packed day of fishing. We also love to accommodate groups of friends or colleagues for business trips and team building experiences. We can fit up to 6 guests on our 22′ River Wild power boat and have to ability to book multiple boats to accommodate larger groups.
Pro Tip: Did you know that booking a guided fishing trip several times a year can actually save you money?
It’s true! Owning a boat and investing in gear can be expensive. By booking a guided fishing trip, you can enjoy all the benefits of fishing without the high costs. Save some cash and book your trip today!
