Sturgeon?

[fishinbros]

Can sturgeon be caught this time of the year below the lock and dams? What would I guy use for bait?

[JimBuck]

Lake Sturgeon are not legal to target on most bodies of water with the exception of Rainy and a small season in the Fall on the Croix. Check the local regs on the body of water you plan on fishing for more info.

[JBMasterAngler]

Shovelnose sturgeon season is continuous, but only downstream of the red wing dam. I couldn't tell you how to target them though...the only one I've ever caught was just by drowning a crawler along the riverbank.

[pikestabber]

Does anyone keep shovelnose sturgeon to eat? I see the limit is 10 on them... Are they pretty common below the Red Wing Dam, I take it?

[DTro]

Just to clarify, you cannot target shovelnose on inland waters such as the MN river.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Are they pretty common below the Red Wing Dam, I take it?

Yes, they are. I plan on keeping one this year just to try one. They get no where near as large as lakers, though. 5 lbs is a good one.

[pikestabber]

Ralph, is there a certain place you might recommend from shore to try fishing that area (a park, public access, etc)? This probably sounds opposite of most people's wishes, but I live just an hour and half from the Rainy and I have caught dozens and dozens of lake sturgeon over the years. I would like to catch a shovelnose just to add it to my list, even if they are a 1/10th the size or smaller, and since we have no carp in the northern part of the state, I wouldn't mind catching a couple of those guys, too. Is this area pretty good for targeting multiple species?

Thanks.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Sorry, Pikestabber, I have only fished the area from boat.