catching spring sturgeon

[Guest]

Sturgeon is some of the best smoked fish I have had. Looking forward to getting one to bring back this Spring. We usually fish in the evening for a while for bottle bass and sturgeon. Not really sure what the most effective method or bait would be and am looking for suggestions. I want to anchor while I fish for them. Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Tom Stay]

Quicksilver, For sturgeon, I like nightcrawlers. Crawfish scent works well on them too as well as with minnows, preferably
shinners. Anchoring like you suggested is the way to go. Good Luck

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[Guest]

Thanks Tom. Say, given you are an expert and all, could you set me straight on what size sturgeon I can keep from both sides of the river. U.S. side I can keep one between 45" - 55". But the Canadian side with a Sportsman License I can keep one 44.9" or larger. But isn't this 44.9" measured completely different (back of gill to back of dorsal fin on top) which makes this a huge sturgeon - with an overall length (as we would measure in the U.S.) of like 70" + inches?? Is that really the case? They just must not want any taken huh? Thanks for your info.

[Tom Stay]

Quicksilver, You are correct on the size resriction on the U.S. side 45 to 55 inches.
I don't have a Canadian rule book handy but I believe you are correct on the way you measure the sturgeon on the Canadian side.
Back of gill plate to lower anal fin I think,
this would put the fish somewhere over 60 inches to be legal.
They are good eating too like you said. Smoked is one of the best ways, but the smaller they are the less fat and oil they contain which makes for better table fare.
I like them with a pinch of brown sugar on each piece after they have been in brine and before starting the smoking process, Lake Trout are great this way also.

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http//GonzosGuideService.com