Question About Sturgeon Fishing in Humboldt Bay

Now that rockfish is closed I'm looking for other species for entertainment from the yak. I've been reading and rereading the posts on the legality of fishing for sturgeon in the Humboldt Bay and I'm still confused. Some say it's not legal others say it is.

 I grew up sturgeon fishing and would love to c&r a couple Dino's. My friend who's in the fisheries department at HSU just completed a sturgeon study for Humboldt Bay. It looks like we have a decent and active population of sturgies that I would love to capitalize on.

Does anyone have a more definitive answer and sources? Thanks!

I'd try DFW Eureka office.  They'll get you on the phone with a warden, or you can leave a message with your question.  I've wondered about this issue, and I think I remember finding out that it's legal (need punchcard).  Please let us know what you find out.

It's legal and you need a punch card. Maximum 3 per year with a slot limit. Single barbless hooks and only white sturgeon may be taken. Green sturgeon, which I believe outnumber white sturgeon in Humboldt Bay by a fair bit, must be immediately released unharmed and not removed from the water, not even for a picture.

No gaffs, snares, or firearms are allowed to assist in landing a sturgeon.

If you end up giving it a go let me know, I'd love to join. Cajun has expressed interest in the past too.

Yes! I literally jumped off my couch haha!

I am used to fishing San Pablo Bay but I'm assuming conditions/behaviors will stay fairly constant up here in Humboldt.

I'm guessing it will take a few tries before getting hooked up. But I've heard the oyster farms in the mudflats by the Somoa bridge have sturgeon jumping which might be a good place to start.

These are old bottom feeders and they have absorbed a lot of the heavy metals with industrial pollution that is ongoing from the refineries in Richmond and I would worry about the residual toxins from the output from the pulp mills in Samoa. During the 1980's the two pulp mills were dumping 40 million gallons a day of untreated waste water into the bay, and the waste water included dioxins. Thanks to Surfrider Foundation this was eventually halted but I would expect that the toxins remain.

These are old bottom feeders and they have absorbed a lot of the heavy metals with industrial pollution that is ongoing from the refineries in Richmond and I would worry about the residual toxins from the output from the pulp mills in Samoa. During the 1980's the two pulp mills were dumping 40 million gallons a day of untreated waste water into the bay, and the waste water included dioxins. Thanks to Surfrider Foundation this was eventually halted but I would expect that the toxins remain.

He's just looking to Cn'R.

^yup. I rarely bring home my catch unless it's a salmon or halibut. I personally believe a freezer full of fish is a waste but I don't judge others for doing so

I've only kept one sturgeon so far and it fed my family and three others for a month. It was the best smoked fish I've ever had!

Thanks for the advice elkhornsun. I will definitely not take any of them old bottom feeders.