Credit: CDFW

September 30, 2024 - The white sturgeon sport fishing season opens Oct. 1, 2024, only for catch-and-release fishing. Anglers may continue to fish using 2024 Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards purchased earlier in the year, but all remaining 2024 sturgeon harvest tags are invalid, and no harvest is permitted under any circumstances.

“Catch-and-release provides a balance between maintaining angling opportunities while allowing sturgeon the ability to rebound after years of decline,” said Jay Rowan, Chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Branch. “Sturgeon have been in California’s waterways for 200 million years and we want to ensure this species not only continues to exist but thrives.”

'Conserve The Sturg' Campaign

In support of sustaining sturgeon and California’s fisheries, CDFW has developed the “Conserve the Sturg” campaign that aims to raise awareness about sustainable angling and stewardship for this large, long-lived and prehistoric fish.

“There is a unique thrill to catching this living-legend fish while also releasing it back to its waters knowing that this species will live on for future generations,” said Jonathan Nelson, CDFW environmental program manager.

To learn more about “Conserve the Sturg” and about how the public can help sustain this prehistoric species, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Conserve-the-Sturg(opens in new tab).

White Sturgeon Monitoring Effort

To continue to make informed management decisions, CDFW has begun monitoring white sturgeon through a partnership with Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and the local fishing industry to catch, measure and tag white sturgeon. This helps CDFW fisheries biologists estimate how many sturgeon are in the population, track the success of different year classes and monitor where sturgeon are congregating. With repeated monitoring efforts over the next several years, changes in the population can be measured with greater accuracy.

Fishable (Catch and Release) White Sturgeon Waters

• From Oct. 1 through June 30, 2025: Ocean waters and San Francisco Bay east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather River on the Sacramento River and downstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River
• From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31: Upstream of the confluence of the Feather River to the Highway 162 bridge on the Sacramento River and upstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River

All tributaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers are closed to sturgeon fishing.

Following guidance on best practices for catch-and-release fishing for white sturgeon helps ensure white sturgeon are caught and released as healthy individuals that will continue to survive in the wild.

Sturgeon Report Cards

2024 Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards (for catch-and-release only) are available for purchase(opens in new tab). Card holders are responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable regulations when fishing under the authority of the report card. For the complete regulations, including the summarized items above, see the 2024-25 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations(opens in new tab), updated Sept. 12, 2024, starting on page 29, or the 2024-25 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations(opens in new tab), updated Sept. 16, 2024, starting on page 24.

The data gathered from Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards supports fisheries management efforts that benefit sturgeon and sturgeon anglers in California—learn more about sturgeon management. Anglers are required by regulation to return report cards or submit a report online by Jan. 31, 2025 (CCR - Title 14, Section 1.74).
Source: CDFW