Sturgeon are native to subtropical, temperate and sub-Arctic rivers, lakes and coastlines of Eurasia and North America. They are some of the oldest fish globally, and some of the earliest fossils discovered date back millions of years. They are long-lived and late-maturing, with an average lifespan of between fifty and sixty years; their first spawn doesn’t occur until they are around fifteen to twenty years old, though. Sturgeon have a distinct set of characteristics and an elongated, spindle-like body that is smooth-skinned, scaleless, and armoured with five lateral rows of bony plates called scutes.
Primarily bottom feeders, with a diet consisting of shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish, they feed by extending their syphon-like mouths. Having no teeth, they’re unable to seize prey, but significant individuals are more than capable of swallowing large prey items, like whole Salmon. The biggest Sturgeon ever recorded was a Beluga female, measuring 7.2m and weighing in at 3,463lb. Still, fish to over 1,000lb get regularly landed by anglers, with an average size of around 100lb.
These prehistoric giants aren’t too hard to locate or hook; the hard part begins once hooked. They run like a train, leap completely clear of the water and never know when the game is up, making for a spectacular, long battle of man v fish. Despite their tough-looking outer appearance, White Sturgeon are quite a delicate species, so they need to be treated with the greatest care and attention once landed.
Below are the top destinations in the world for Sturgeon Fishing.
Our hosted Sturgeon fishing tour to British Columbia in Canada, is the ideal trip for single anglers, pairs of friends and even small groups, looking to battle with one of the largest, most powerful freshwater fish on the planet - the mighty White Sturgeon. These prehistoric river dinosaurs can grow to over 10ft in length and half a tonne in weight.
Our British Columbia Sturgeon fishing tour provides travelling anglers the chance to fish for the mighty White Sturgeon on the Fraser River. These prehistoric river dinosaurs can grow to over 10ft in length and half a tonne in weight, and provide one of the most exciting freshwater fishing challenges on the planet.
Fraser River Lodge, nestled on the shore of the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia, is the perfect location to spend a relaxing week's holiday while being surrounded by some of the world's best scenery and wildlife. Choose between Sturgeon, Salmon, or Wilderness Fishing. We can customise your fishing trip around your favourite style of fishing.
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Species: White Sturgeon
Scientific Name: White Sturgeon Acipenser Transmontanus
Also known as: Sturgeon, Beluga
Sturgeon is the common name given to twenty-eight species of fish in the Acipenseridae family. However, the one most popular in the fishing community is the White Sturgeon, which we will concentrate on.
These prehistoric-looking leviathans are a genuinely incredible species, having been around for some 120 million years and existing alongside Jurassic Park favourites such as Tyrannosaurs, Ankylosaurs and even Velociraptors. They are descendants of the dinosaurs and distant relatives of sharks, with a lifespan of over one hundred years.
Traditionally, their colouration varies from grey to brown on their dorsal side, with a pale ventral side and grey fins. They feature an array of distinctive characteristics, making them easily recognisable, including a heterocercal caudal fin similar to those of sharks and an elongated, spindle-like body that is smooth-skinned, scaleless, and armoured with five lateral rows of bony plates called scutes. They also have an underslung mouth and four barbels or whiskers.
Primarily bottom feeders, with a diet consisting of shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish, they feed by extending their syphon-like mouths. Having no teeth, they cannot seize prey, but significant individuals are more than capable of swallowing large items, like whole Salmon.
They are long-lived, late-maturing fish, reaching maturity once they are around 15 to 20 years old. They grow to around 20cm in size during their first year. When they reach adulthood, they grow to become one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, measuring over 10ft in length and weighing over half a tonne in weight.
Sturgeon are widely spread globally, with populations ranging from the subtropical to subarctic waters in North America and Eurasia. Most are partially anadromous, spawning in fresh water and feeding in nutrient-rich, brackish waters of estuaries or undergoing significant migrations along coastlines.
The White Sturgeon primarily lives in the estuaries of large rivers, favouring the soft bottom topography, but they will migrate to spawn in freshwater, and their movements depend on salinity. It’s common for them to travel long distances between river systems.
Many large rivers that drain into the Pacific Ocean in North America hold fish populations, but undoubtedly, the Fraser River in Canada is one of the most famous and best Sturgeon fishing rivers in the world.
The longest in British Columbia, the Fraser River rises at Fraser Pass in the Rocky Mountains and flows for 1,375 kilometres into the Strait of Georgia just south of the City of Vancouver. It is one such river where you’ll find these magnificent creatures and is famed among the angling community for its excellent populations of fish and is considered by many to be the premier destination on the planet.
The Best Sturgeon Fishing Destinations:
Sturgeon Fishing Canada
Hosted Sturgeon Fishing Canada
Fraser River Lodge Canada
Our Sturgeon fishing partners on the Fraser River, BC Sportfishing Group, work closely with the non-profit Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) to ensure these fish are protected and looked after. As you’d expect, all fishing is strictly catch and release, and all fish are tagged and recorded. Thanks to their excellent work, the fish in the river have been allowed to thrive, and the river now offers the last healthy wild stocks of this prehistoric species on the planet.
From an angler’s perspective, Sturgeon are one of the largest freshwater fish in the world; while they aren’t too hard to locate or hook, the hard part begins once hooked. They harbour immense power and speed and can peel 200 yards of line off the spool in seconds, running like a train and able to leap completely clear of the water. They never know when the game is up, making for a spectacular, long battle of man v fish.
Fights can vary from a few minutes to a few hours, and more often than not, the boats will up anchor and follow the fish around the river. Many anglers who have fished for them are overwhelmed by their sheer size, power and aerial displays; when a big fish launches from the water, it’s a sight to behold and one of the most impressive visions in angling.
Fishing for Sturgeon is best done from a boat, using up-tide tackle and fishing static fish baits. Running rigs constructed from solid components, a heavy lead to battle the flow, and a robust leader are all essential. Hook-wise, a circle hook around 7/0 or 8/0 is preferred.
Regarding hook baits, Sturgeon are not overly picky and will eat a whole host of different things, but depending on the time of year, chunks of Salmon or King Salmon Roe are two of the most popular. They have poor eyesight and rely on scent to locate their food. They also pick up minute electrical fields on their lateral lines and around their heads and are sensitive to sound.
If you’re looking to travel to Canada to fish for Sturgeon and want to learn a little more about the best time to travel, you may find this blog helpful: Sturgeon Fishing Seasons On The Fraser River.
Fact: Despite their tough-looking outer appearance, White Sturgeon are a delicate species, so they must be treated with the utmost care and attention once landed.
White Sturgeon average around 100lb, but the most authentic record of the maximum weight is reported to be 1,390lb, meaning they’re just behind the Beluga Sturgeon in regards to size. However, in contrast, other unauthenticated records show a higher weight estimate, with fish of 1,799lb – a specimen reported to be over 100 years of age.
On the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada, the largest fish ever recorded was an 11ft 7inch 1,100lb giant landed in 2012.
