1/1/2025 is an exciting day for sturgeon anglers along the Columbia River with the opening of our winter sturgeon season. The season dates and rules are listed below pulled from WDFW website. Its important to check the updated regs daily as the sturgeon season is a quote based fishery. Once each zone reaches or gets close to its quota there will be closures.
Weather permitting fishermen will want to get out as soon as possible once open and start trying to get there keepers. If the weather is good in the Columbia River Gorge and the upper Columbia zones the quotas will likely get met fairly fast. If the weather is not great some things to remember and preplan for are as follows- Boat ramps get icy. You should be prepared with proper vehicle to get back up ther ramp on ice once launched or when retrieving your boat at the end of the day. Also ice makes it really hard to stop once backing down so plan accordingly. Dress accordingly for the day. The gorge can be windy and the wind comes off the snow covered peaks. Its very cold and just miserable if your not prepared. Take extra layers and good gortex type rain gear. My buddy heaters for your hands.
If I can assist in helping you get out on a fishing trip reach out anytime. Double M Outdoors specializes in Sturgeon as its our favorite fish to target.
Tight lines and good luck- See below for the updated season zones and rules-
The 2025 sturgeon season in the Columbia River will open on January 1 and run through January 29, with some exceptions:
Open for retention seven days a week from January 1–April 30, with a recreational harvest guideline of 105 white sturgeon.
Catch-and-release fishing is allowed on days when retention is closed. The daily bag limit is one fish, and the annual bag limit is two fish.The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) manages the sturgeon fisheries to ensure sustainable fishing opportunities. The WDFW’s white sturgeon webpage has detailed regulations and updates.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the sturgeon season and land some keepers. 
