Columbia River Sturgeon

2026 Columbia River Sturgeon Opener.

Last week, there was a rare opportunity to fish for sturgeon on the Columbia River, and I was fortunate to join my good friend Ken from Cold Water Strong.

Columbia River sturgeon are large, powerful, and beautiful fish. Due to past overfishing, chances to keep a sturgeon are scarce, typically just one day each year. A sturgeon fish print would be a prized addition to my Pacific Northwest fish art collection, but because of the limited season it is the most difficult one to get. You are only allowed one sturgeon and it has to be within the state established "slot" limit of 38-inch minimum to 54-inch maximum - and it is only open one day per year.

New ProBraid No Fade 8, Red, White and Blue line

The Pacific NW Sportsman's Show took place last week in Portland, OR, where I was manning a booth for Probraid braided fishing line. Probraid has an incredible selection of braided line, including a unique Red White and Blue braid made espicially for the USA 250 year anniversary this year. While at the event, I ran into my friend Ken Villenti, who owns Cold Water Strong, a company known for producing top-quality leaders for many PNW fisheries. Over the years, Ken and I have become close friends, and during our chat, he invited me to join him for the Monday sturgeon opener—of course, I accepted!

I left home at 5:00 am and met Ken and his friend Brian at the Wind River boat ramp. It was a cold, wet, and windy February morning in Washington State. We navigated through a very shallow bay, almost getting stuck several times, before finding the channel and reaching the main river. Once there, we settled into a spot and cast our lines. Ken had us using sand shrimp as bait. After about 45 minutes with no bites, we moved a few hundred yards upriver and set up again.

We cast our lines in about 35 feet of water, and within minutes, my rod gave the tick...tick of a sturgeon bite. I set the hook, and the fight began. The sturgeon pulled hard, and I struggled to stop it. Eventually, I gained some ground before it took off again. After its third run, we tightened the drag a bit, and I managed to bring it closer to the boat. As it neared, it sped past us and headed upriver—a sign of a sizable sturgeon! Finally, the sturgeon gave in, and we netted it. We measured it at an even 52"—a legal keeper!

We regrouped and reset our lines, and soon after, Brian's rod got a bite. After another intense battle, he landed another keeper! Two out of two, now we just needed one for Ken.

Brian and Ken with another amazing sturgeon

Unfortunately, I had a flight to catch to Las Vegas for a magic show, so I had to leave early before Ken could catch his fish. Ken dropped me off at the launch with my fish, and I headed home while he returned to the river for his last catch.

Once home, I created a unique fish print that turned out great. As I was cleaning the fish, Ken called to let me know he had caught his fish!

Here is the print from the sturgeon, I am very greatfull to have had the opportunity to honor this beautiful fish through art, it will be remembered for its beauty and strength forever.

It was a great day filled with good friends, nasty weather, and remarkable fish!

Thanks for reading

Bill