Columbia River Hog Hunting

June 6, 2005
By Lance Fisher

The next few months will provide anglers with great oversize sturgeon fishing opportunities in the Columbia River Gorge.

People travel from far and wide travel to the Columbia River in pursuit of one of the world's largest freshwater species. Any fish over five feet in length is considered "oversize", but most of the fish caught in the area below Bonneville Dam run six to eight feet in length and weigh between one hundred and two hundred pounds. Larger fish than these are common with some simply being too big to bring to the boat.

Oversize sturgeon begin moving into the waters below Bonneville Dam around the middle of May. Large numbers of shad also begin to show up around this time and like any run some shad simply don't make it over the dam, die and provide sturgeon with a steady food source for many weeks. Many of the sturgeon entering the area are also looking to spawn in some of the last available spawning grounds available to lower Columbia sturgeon. All in all it's a potent mix of variables that lends to some awfully good days of fishing in one of the most beautiful areas on the planet. For anglers that know the area four to six hook ups of fish in excess of one hundred pounds is a fairly common day.

Set ups are key in this area. Most of the water that's being fished is big, fast and deep. Boat safety is always a concern in the area below Bonneville Dam, so for people looking to head out and try their new boats, this is probably not the place to do it. Where most boaters get in trouble is during the anchoring process. A 50-70 pound anchor is a must in the area. I have a 25 1/2 foot sled and use a 70 pound anchor and still occasionally can't hold in certain areas. Three hundred feet of rope is also a must. Scope in your rope will offer you a better chance of holding in the fast currents of the Columbia River, it's also imperative when it comes to safety. Too steep of a scope in your anchor line generates a tremendous amount of downward pressure on the bow of your boat, thus causing a sinking hazard. Your anchor ball is the last piece to the set up. I have a 300 pound anchor ball, which stays buoyant in the fastest water that I would anchor in. The point to keep in mind is that the set ups that you probably got with your boat are not going to do the trick when going after oversize sturgeon in the Gorge. This is a unique fishery that demands some unique gear.

Fishing gear will also be taxed when fishing this area. 7 foot Halibut rods, accompanied by a Shimano 700 Tekota and 80 pound Power Pro Line will perform just fine. I use a 100 pound Nylon Leader with Mustad 9/0 barbless hooks. Whole shad, or strips of the shad are commonly used as bait and most of the bait is caught fresh the morning of the trip.

Beacon Rock is the upriver deadline for oversize sturgeon fishing and remember to give the utmost care in releasing these prehistoric fish.

Keep those lines tight and we'll see you on the river.

Lance Fisher
Professional Fishing Guide, Outdoor Writer and Host of the NW Outdoor Show
(503) 936-4774
www.columbia-river-fishing-guides.net