The keeper sturgeon season in the John Day Pool remains open. The quota of 105 fish is getting close to being reached. Regardless of the unfavorable river conditions, if you want a keeper sturgeon this year, you'd better get out there and give it a try. The key in this high, muddy water is to get out of the main river flows and fish the softer edges and seams in shallower water. All the normal techniques are working to catch fish, but the high flows have all the fish stacked into softer water! If you find these pockets, you'll be on the fish.
Another question I get a lot is how the 105 fish quota is tallied. There is a checker that surveys anglers at the popular spots in this pool. The theory of WDFW and ODFW is that they will not be able to accurately check all the keeper sturgeon caught. For this reason they take the number of fish visually checked by the officials and multiply it by 5 (don't ask me how they come up with this number) and when they get close to the quota they shut it down.
For the 105 fish quota that would mean only 21 fish being checked. The season opened January 1st, so this gives you an idea of just how slow the season has been this year. Also, most of the fish have been checked in the last 2 weeks. For 5-6 trips, my boat has recorded 3 keepers this year, down significantly from last year. We are catching fish, but the keepers are avoiding us. Once the season closes, it remains open for catch and release. This is an awesome way to tangle with these big fish and the fishing just gets better as it warms! I sturgeon fish all year and also focus on trophy oversized sturgeon during certain times of the year. If you are interested in this, let me know! We can always accommodate sturgeon groups, big or small!

The next fishery on the calendar is Spring Chinook! I am kicking my season off this year in Portland from April 2-6th. I have 2 seats available April 5th if interested. I also have another boat available if earlier dates are desired or you want a seat during that first week of April. Give me a call for details! This year will be a challenge in Portland with the flood stage water, but there will be fish there and you cant catch them at home! We will be giving it our best efforts to try and intercept one of these great eating salmon!

Starting April 22, I will be targeting Springers at the mouth of the Wind River and Drano Lake. This is one of my favorite fisheries. I only do weekend trips in my boat, but again, I work with another boat so give me a call and we can find you a seat! I look forward to hearing from you and fishing with you this Spring!

Jacob Munden
Munden's Rising Son Adventures
509-492-8852


High quality tackle, local expertise, USCG licensed and insured, guiding for Salmon, Steelhead, Sturgeon and Walleye. On a trip with Jacob, you can expect to not only catch fish, but to learn throughout the day.

Munden's Rising Son Adventures509-492-8852

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