Posing for Oversize Sturgeon Photos

January 15, 2009

Question: I’ve seen several pictures over the years of anglers hoisting oversized sturgeon out of the water and dragging them back to the dock for pictures. Isn’t it against the law to treat fish that are to be released this way? How should oversized sturgeon be handled, given that the justifiably proud angler would like to get a picture or two before releasing? (Jim J.)

Answer: There are two important issues here – the regulations and doing what is best for the fish. The regulations state “…all fish …less than the legal minimum size or greater than the maximum legal size must be returned immediately to the water from which they were taken,” (CCR Title 14 section 1.62). No sturgeon less than 46 inches total length or greater than 66 inches total length may be taken or possessed.

Anglers often choose to keep the biggest fish possible and then, for an accurate assessment, they take the oversized fish out of the water to measure. By doing this the angler risks being cited for taking an obviously oversized fish out of the water and keeping it out of the water too long (e.g., for an extended picture session). If the fish is not legal and it is not immediately released, the person possessing the fish may be cited for possessing an illegal fish. If the fish is harmed during the release or photographing and it dies, the person who took the fish may be cited for the illegal take of the fish.

As far as what’s best for the fish, according to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) sturgeon expert Marty Gingras, the answer is clear: Do not remove from the water any part – particularly the head – of a fish that you will release. They are suffocating when their gills are removed from the water and blood-chemistry studies show they are clearly stressed from both the fight and from handling after the fight.

Here’s a recommendation for handling oversized sturgeon:

Keep that oversized sturgeon in the water and take photographs there. This regulation has worked in Oregon and Washington and consequently, they have enjoyed a premier oversize white sturgeon catch-and-release fishery for many, many years.

1.   Do not hoist a sturgeon up from its gill plates for a “sturgeon necktie” photograph.

2.   Do not drag a sturgeon ashore for a photograph. It is risky for both angler and fish – the angler may be cited and the fish may stress out and die. Keep that oversized sturgeon in the water and take photographs

Handling these behemoths with care is essential; they are the broodstock building future generations of these incredible fish for tomorrow’s anglers.

January 15, 2009

Question: I’ve seen several pictures over the years of anglers hoisting oversized sturgeon out of the water and dragging them back to the dock for pictures. Isn’t it against the law to treat fish that are to be released this way? How should oversized sturgeon be handled, given that the justifiably proud angler would like to get a picture or two before releasing? (Jim J.)

Answer: There are two important issues here – the regulations and doing what is best for the fish. The regulations state “…all fish …less than the legal minimum size or greater than the maximum legal size must be returned immediately to the water from which they were taken,” (CCR Title 14 section 1.62). No sturgeon less than 46 inches total length or greater than 66 inches total length may be taken or possessed.

Anglers often choose to keep the biggest fish possible and then, for an accurate assessment, they take the oversized fish out of the water to measure. By doing this the angler risks being cited for taking an obviously oversized fish out of the water and keeping it out of the water too long (e.g., for an extended picture session). If the fish is not legal and it is not immediately released, the person possessing the fish may be cited for possessing an illegal fish. If the fish is harmed during the release or photographing and it dies, the person who took the fish may be cited for the illegal take of the fish.

As far as what’s best for the fish, according to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) sturgeon expert Marty Gingras, the answer is clear: Do not remove from the water any part – particularly the head – of a fish that you will release. They are suffocating when their gills are removed from the water and blood-chemistry studies show they are clearly stressed from both the fight and from handling after the fight.

Here’s a recommendation for handling oversized sturgeon:

Keep that oversized sturgeon in the water and take photographs there. This regulation has worked in Oregon and Washington and consequently, they have enjoyed a premier oversize white sturgeon catch-and-release fishery for many, many years.

1.   Do not hoist a sturgeon up from its gill plates for a “sturgeon necktie” photograph.

2.   Do not drag a sturgeon ashore for a photograph. It is risky for both angler and fish – the angler may be cited and the fish may stress out and die. Keep that oversized sturgeon in the water and take photographs

Handling these behemoths with care is essential; they are the broodstock building future generations of these incredible fish for tomorrow’s anglers.

Updated for current regs.
(c) Size limit: No fish less than 40 inches fork length or greater than 60 inches fork length may be taken or possessed.