Acipenser transmontanus
White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America — true monsters that reach 12+ feet and 1,000+ pounds in BC's Fraser River. They're the ultimate catch for adventurous anglers: a fish t...
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USFWS
White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America — true monsters that reach 12+ feet and 1,000+ pounds in BC's Fraser River. They're the ultimate catch for adventurous anglers: a fish that can strip 200 yards of line on a single run and take hours to land. Strictly catch-and-release.
Massive, shark-like body. Rows of bony scutes along the back and sides — sharp in young fish, worn smooth in old giants. Long snout with four barbels in front of a ventral mouth. Heterocercal tail. Grey to olive-brown back, pale belly. Skin is leathery, without scales. Absolutely unmistakable in size.
White sturgeon are found in BC's large rivers — primarily the Fraser, Nechako, and Columbia systems. They prefer deep river holes, current seams, and areas below rapids. They're bottom-dwelling predators that feed on fish (eulachon, salmon, lamprey) and invertebrates.
White Sturgeon can be found across these provinces and territories:
Regulations vary by province and zone — always check the local rules before fishing. Browse detailed guides: British Columbia.
Matching your bait to the conditions is one of the biggest factors in catching White Sturgeon. Here's what works when:
| Weather / Condition | Best Bait & Lures | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| 🌊 River (year-round) | Eulachon (candlefish), salmon roe bags, lamprey, dead herring | Fish on the bottom in deep holes with heavy weight (8–16 oz). Use rod holders — strikes are savage. |
| 🌸 Spring (eulachon run) | Live or dead eulachon, eulachon-imitation rigs | Sturgeon gorge on eulachon during the spring run. Fish near river mouths and deep runs. |
| 🍂 Fall (salmon carcasses) | Salmon roe bags, salmon belly strips, salmon heads | Sturgeon feed on dead salmon during the fall spawn. Roe and salmon flesh are top baits. |
| 🌧️ High water | Large bait (lamprey, salmon parts) fished in soft water edges | Sturgeon move to softer water during high flows — fish the edges of current, not the main push. |
| ☁️ Overcast / Low light | Scent-heavy baits (roe, fish parts) | Sturgeon feed by smell — scent disperses well in turbulent, low-light conditions. |
White sturgeon fishing in BC is year-round on the Fraser (check regs for specific closures). Peak seasons are spring (eulachon run) and fall (salmon die-off). Catch-and-release only throughout BC. A sturgeon conservation surcharge/licence is required.
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