News Release

2021 Sturgeon Fishing

Date: June 2, 2021
Contact: Denise Bausch, 509-754-7830

As sturgeon fishing season begins the National Park Service reminds all boaters, that completed Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) mussel free self-certification forms are required before launching watercraft at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. This includes those with annual boat launch permits and non-motorized watercraft. Because compliance with this requirement has been low, on June 1, 2021, law enforcement rangers will begin ticketing vehicles that are not properly displaying this form. This is the next progression of the AIS prevention program introduced in early 2018.

The bright pink self-certification forms are available at each boat launch or through our website at: https://www.nps.gov/laro/learn/nature/upload/Zebra-and-Quagga-mussel-certification-reduced-508.pdf. After following the flowchart and completing the form, place it on the dashboard of your launch vehicle where it can be easily seen. If you only boat within Washington State, boaters will only need to complete the form once per season. If you launch your boat outside of Washington State, you will need to complete the form before you launch at Lake Roosevelt again. Watercraft coming from outside of Washington should be cleaned, drained, and fully dried (dry time may be up to 30 days) or have valid proof of inspection within the last 30 days, before launching in Lake Roosevelt. It is important to remove all dirt, plants and water from boats, trailers, and other water gear prior to launching every time. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently announced a harvest fishery for white sturgeon, starting June 12, 2021 until further notice, in Lake Roosevelt from Grand Coulee Dam to China Bend Boat Ramp, including the Spokane River from Highway 25 Bridge upstream to 400 feet below Little Falls Dam, Colville River upstream to Meyers Falls, and the Kettle River upstream to Barstow Bridge. (See the rule change at WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE: White sturgeon fishery to open on Lake Roosevelt (wa.gov))

The daily limit is one sturgeon and the annual limit is two sturgeon. Only sturgeon between 50 and 63 inches fork length (from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail) can be retained. WDFW regulations require anglers to bring retained whole sturgeon to shore prior to cleaning to allow checks for compliance with the slot size limit rule. 

As a reminder, Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 2.14(a)(7) prohibits disposing of fish remains on land or in waters within 200 feet of boat docks or swimming beaches, or within developed areas.

For more information, check the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area website at www.nps.gov/laro.