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Sturgeon Rookie Questions

jasonk
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jasonk Enthusiast

jasonk

Posted
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I am sure this has been covered many times before, but when I did a search I got hundreds of results and didn't want to file through all of them so if someone could please help out I would appreciate it. I have never done the sturgeon thing before and am just wondering what size hooks most people use and what size weights are needed?

Thanks for the info. Heading up this weekend.

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DUCKJ Proficient

DUCKJ

Posted
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I use #3 wide gap but some of the guys I fish with like to use circle hooks. As for weights, It depends on fast the curent is moving. 2 years ago we used 3 oz and last year we needed 10 oz. NoRole sinkers work the best if there is alot of curent but you can get away with other types if the curent isnt to bad.

Duck

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DTro Grand Master

DTro

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I like 4 or 5/0 Gamakatsu circle hooks. Probably prefer 5/0 since I can jam more fatheads or crawlers on there.

And weight will change with current. The first year I was up there you could get away with 1 oz (probably lighter).

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Tim_Anderson Rising Star

Tim_Anderson

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We use circle hooks 4/0 or 5/0. I go prepared with 2-5 oz. no roll sinkers. The main thing you want to do is get that setup on the bottom and keep it still (making it easier for the sturgeon to find it), so make sure you use enough weight and a short enough leader below your weight so that your bait isn't sweeping back and forth in the current.

Try the deep holes in the mouth/bay or in the river, but don't overlook the rock rubble flats in the river where the walleyes are congregated. The sturgeon are often hand in hand where the good numbers of walleyes are located. The walleyes will be spawning very soon and those sturgies

(I think) are setting up to eat the spawn of other fish before they commence in the spawning act themselves. Just a theory I have.

Tim Anderson

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Meat-Run Veteran

Meat-Run

Posted
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Hey Tim,

you posted something earlier in the month about the Canadian side ramping up enforcement side of the river did you see any evidence of this happening while you were up there?

thanks,

Meat-Run

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Tim_Anderson Rising Star

Tim_Anderson

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In the two weeks I was there, I got checked by the border patrol people one time and that was it. I saw a game and fish guy one day too. He swooped in and cut out a stray from a herd of boats - the one that was obviously over the center line. Took the guy to shore and worked him over. I'm sure it wasn't pretty.

Keep in mind it has been a very slow season until now, so the canadians are waiting for more traffic I think, to make it worth their time.

When I asked the border patrol lady if she could report anything, she said "There's not really anybody up here fishing, EH."

Most of the Mn. guys seem to be aware of the new sturgeon regs. I didn't see anyone obviously anchored up sturgeon fishing on the Canada side. Some were pushing the line though.

Tim Anderson

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thrax Enthusiast

thrax

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I'm coming up for a day trip on Sunday, and am a Sturgie rookie but have had some pretty excellent advice from a seasoned guide, and lots of good tips here on FM. If anyone with knowledge would answer honestly that would be great, areas near the mouth/4mile right now or further up river for the best sturgie bite? We'd like to catch some, size would be nice but not 100% necessary, would rather get some experience. Also, with Sunday being Easter, should we expect slightly lower crowds or massive crowds still the way the bite has been now for both sturgies and walleyes? Any advice would be helpful. Thx.

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binsfeldnick Collaborator

binsfeldnick

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There's a deep hole right when you turn north to go into the bay not far from the access that would be a good place to try.

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bassbuster1 Proficient

bassbuster1

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I was down to 8 mile marker yesterday that is about a mile and a half downstream from the little fork river ,we caught a few small sturgeon and on our way back seen a guy at the mouth of the little fork catch a nice one ,but the main surge of fish has not reached up this far yet ,should be soon . The dam at I falls always holds fish.

I would start at 4 mile,then work your way upstream ,we did get a 62 incher at Birchdale last week.

Good luck

BB1

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Meat-Run Veteran

Meat-Run

Posted
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Tim,

thanks for the report the BLM chapter gang will be up on the 16th and not sure how many will have the Canadian pass on hand but others that read this need to *****NOTE***** that Tim has a Canadian boarder pass to be on the other side of the river. So some of the reports he's posting may be from the other side and I don't want others to push there luck.

Thank again,

Meat-Run

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pikestabber Proficient

pikestabber

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Weight, as said, depends upon current...bring lots of lead. I prefer 50# braided line and a muskie rod with bait-cast reel (I have stripped out a couple brand new spinning reels in one weekend of fishing before, so don't under-think your gear!), a 1'-1.5' leader and 3/0 Gamakatsu regular octopus (not circle) hooks, and have caught numerous 50+" fish on this rig as well as a couple hundred smaller ones in my years up there. I have never lost a fish on these size or style of hooks, and if you have caught sturgeon you know why...they just get hooked and stay hooked.

Bassbuster...

Do you catch sturg' at the dam later in the year (e.g., after the spawn or into summer?). I won't make the spring run anymore after 15 years of doing it...I've had my fun, but it is just too crowded for my taste anymore, as much as I hate to miss it. Ever fish after July 1st at the I-Falls dam and done any good at all?

Thanks.

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bassbuster1 Proficient

bassbuster1

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Yes I do,I have fished sturgeon below the dam into Nov. my biggest ever came in September last year below the dam.There are flats down stream from the access past the first bend that hold fish all summer.

bigsturgeonkel.jpg

davessturgeon.jpg

BB1

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jwmiller33 Grand Master

jwmiller33

Posted
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is it true your not supposed to hold sturgeon vertically? i remember reading somewhere that it puts a lot of stress on their internal organs and it is not the way to handle them... i just want to make sure i am handling them properly as they truly are amazing creatures...

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pikestabber Proficient

pikestabber

Posted
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Yes I do, I have fished sturgeon below the dam into Nov. my biggest ever came in September last year below the dam.There are flats down stream from the access past the first bend that hold fish all summer.

Thanks, BB1... That top fish is a horse, nice one.

Same scenario later in the year? Looking for fish in deeper holes, crawlers for bait?

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bassbuster1 Proficient

bassbuster1

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I start right at the dam where the hole starts to come up,if nothing there I fish fish the flats down stream .Yes crawlers.

BB1

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brmuskie Collaborator

brmuskie

Posted
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Tim,

thanks for the report the BLM chapter gang will be up on the 16th and not sure how many will have the Canadian pass on hand but others that read this need to *****NOTE***** that Tim has a Canadian boarder pass to be on the other side of the river. So some of the reports he's posting may be from the other side and I don't want others to push there luck.

Thank again,

Meat-Run

When you guys go up there on the 16th - the walleye season will be over in MN and it is illegal to fish sturgeon on the Canada side of the river so no need for the RABC permit or an Ontario fishing license I don't think.

DO NOT FISH FOR STURGEON ON THE CANADIAN SIDE OF THE RIVER

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