April 20th, 2007 - Sturgeon Excursion

[eyepatrol]

I just about posted the same earlier this morning, but then if it does take a turn for the worse, I didn't want to be the one who jinxed it.

Right now it looks promising though.

[harvey lee]

Eric

I discussed this with a resort owner from the Baudette area and on the river. We will be fishing and if the weather continues as promised, we should be in pretty good shape. The only thing we dont know at this time is exactly where on the river it will be. There could still be a problem with docking the boats overnight at Schuster's docks so all we will need to do is load the boats at night when we are done fishing. The warm forecast will really help us out if it holds true.

Look out you 60+ inch Sturgeon as Tom is leaving in a week.

[eyepatrol]

Sounds good Tom. I'll probably give you a ring tonight to see if you're around Saturday.

[wall_eye_assasin]

Basscatcher and Harvey, Only one more week to go. Hope the weather cooperates but if not I got an extra 12 pack just in case. Steaks look great Basscatcher and Ill give you a call Saturday or Sunday. 6 more days wooooo hhooooooo.

[eyepatrol]

Did you get my e-mails from a couple nights ago? Everything look okay?

[hanson]

Sturgeon Tip of the Day - Proper Handling

Alright folks, less than 1 week to go until the Sturgeon Excursion. Wooo Hooo!

We've talked about a few things that I feel are important to sturgeon fishing success- boat control, gear, and terminal tackle. But what do you do when you get one of these prehistoric creatures in the boat?

Most fisherman typically don't have a clue as they've never handled a fish this large and heavy before. For the most part, a sturgeon will be pretty docile when in the boat. They won't flop, roll, or kick around too much but rather lay on your boat floor nice and quiet.

Once in the boat, have a needlenose pliers handy to unhook the fish ASAP. A sturgeon's mouth is pretty tough and rubbery and you'll need a pliers to get proper leverage to remove a hook.

Once the hook is removed, its photo time! This is where I'd like to point out that there is a correct way, and a wrong way, to handle a sturgeon. The correct way is to hold the fish from a 45 degree angle to as horizontal as possible while supporting the weight of the fish. What I like to do is grab the tail with one hand, and support the belly right behind the pectoral fins with my other hand.

Here's a great photo of the proper way to hold a sturgeon.

This fish was 50" so is pretty typical of fish found in the Rainy.

What I don't like to see is a fisherman holding a sturgeon straight up vertically. I think anyone who knows anything about handling big fish knows that a vertical hold places an incredible amount of stress and pressure on the spine and internal organs of the fish. If you are going to hold a fish vertically, good Lord, do NOT hold it up by its gill covers. You may think they are built in handles but holding a 40+ lb fish up by its gill covers is not a good idea. So put quite simply... NO VERTICAL HOLDS please!

Along these same lines, is hanging a 50lb fish on a scale really a good idea? Thats an incredible amount of pressure placed on the mouth of a fish and if there is ever a time you are going to hurt a sturgeon, its when he flops off the scale onto your boat floor. Thud! What I would suggest if you need to know weight is getting an accurate length and girth measurement and using a conversion formula.

Here is a link to a chart the MN DNR put together using research data from their tagging studies of Rainy River Sturgeon- Length/Girth Conversion Formula for Rainy River Sturgeon From my experience, it is very accurate.

For really big fish, cradling them in your arms is probably the best way to hold them for a photo. It supports their weight and keeps you out of their gills. This fish was a 50+ lb, 58 incher.

These fish are really cool, and have been swimming the waters in Minnesota for a long time. I think its awesome that we have the opportunity to successfully target and catch them. I think the least we can do is treat the fish with respect, handle them carefully, and have a successful release.

Happy Fishing guys!

[harvey lee]

Great post Chris. As you can see in my avatar, I am guilty of holding this sturgeon in a less than desirable way. I need to change how I hold them for sure. Hopefully I have another opportunity to photo one.

My avatar should show exactly what not to do. After thinking about it, the picture does show how it could put stress on the fish for sure.

I guess I can be the example of what not to do.

[hanson]

We've all been guilty, myself included. One just needs to learn from past experience and try not to replicate it. I do know how exciting things get in the boat and sometimes good judgement goes out the window. Hopefully we can educate folks so when the big fish does end up in the boat, they'll know what to do.

[harvey lee]

The excitment part you have exactly right. I remember that fish today and exactly how everything went down. One needs to think about the fish a little more in all the who-ha.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Good post, Chris!

For those who have never caught a sturgeon before, I would like to also recommend that you bring several old towels with. These things are incredibly slimy. They feel like sandpaper covered in snot--no kidding.

[eyepatrol]

By the looks of things, these are not the type of sturgeon you need to be cautious of the spines on the back? Out west, that was a big deal.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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By the looks of things, these are not the type of sturgeon you need to be cautious of the spines on the back? Out west, that was a big deal.

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The small ones are sharp. They're not too bad once they are over the mid-thirty inch mark.

[iffwalleyes]

The little ones of are full of spines but as they grow and their skin stretches the spines get less pronounced.

[Tyler Holm]

Nice Tip Of The Week Hanson! You make a truly important point.

I'll just add that if you must weight the fish, do it while the fish is still in the net and just subtract the weight of the net. This way the scale hook never comes in contact with the fish and its weight should be supported by the meshing in the net.

Since we’re doing such a good job of admitting our “wrongs” and learning from our past experiences, I’ll add mine. If you catch a tagged fish, don’t remove the tag! Just write down the tag # and color. You may have to scrap the algae off the tag to be able to read the number. I caught one last year and removed the tag. Later I found out that they want those tags left on the fish so they can get multiple reports from multiple catches.

Below is some info from the MN DNR HSOforum…

When releasing a tagged fish, DO NOT remove the tag(s)! Jot down the number on the tag and report your catch to the DNR.

When keeping a tagged fish, please return the tag to the DNR.

When reporting a catch of a tagged fish please include the following information:

• TAG NUMBER

• Lake

• Species

• Did you release or harvest the fish?

• If released, was the tag removed?

• Date caught

• Location on lake that it was caught

• Length of the fish

• Were you fishing from a boat, launch, or shore?

• Your name, address, phone number

• E-mail address

In return, you will receive a history of the fish you report, which will include: where and when it was tagged; how long it was when it was tagged; and information on whether it had been previously caught and released.

[iffwalleyes]

Sportman's web cam show some promise this morning. Ice is loosening up from shore and it looks like it is starting to turn a little darker. You know you have it bad when you spend more time looking at forecasts for where you are going fishing next then when you are at home. They show rain for next Fri. Sat looks to be nice 57 and partly cloudy. 50's for highs all week and lows in the upper 20's. We have some help coming our way at least.

[harvey lee]

Agreed with the forecast. I looked this morning and thought someone is looking down on the FM group.

[eyepatrol]

Sounds promising! I just spoke to Schusters to confirm our reservation. They had one group cancel on them, so if anyone is looking for a cabin yet or anyone else wants to go, give Schusters a call!

Less than a week now!

[Scott M]

I'm ready to roll, BC. Just finished watching KHO and they were getting into the sturgeon about 1.5-2 weeks ago in "the gap." Looks like I might have to do some bicep curls. Looks like a workout!

Well, I'm off to Moore's to get some terminal tackle.

One more week!

[DTro]

Holy mammmoth Batman!

Look what I came across. 66" of pure beast! This was caught within the past few days.

[fisherking01]

I'll say Robin, Where'dya photo that one???

DTRO, see ya on friday!

More than excited for this TRIP!!

We're up to 9 for the Excursion.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Oh, boy!!!!!

Is it Thursday yet???

[iffwalleyes]

In-Fisherman show this morning they were on Rainy Fishing Lake Sturgeon. They got one that was 65". That will get a preson excited for a trip.

[wall_eye_assasin]

Everything looks great Eric, Looks like good weather and a great time. I will be at your house 7 am on thursday. Did i say 4 more days woot woot. See you soon

[eyepatrol]

Man! Why am I not out fishing in this great weather???

Oh yea! Because I got the boat 1/2 loaded and ready to go!

Thursday can't come soon enough!

Quick question for Hanson and others.....how do you measure these big dudes? Do you take a string, run it along the back to the tip of the tail, let the fish go and then measure the length of the string? And....at what location on the fish do you measure the girth? Hopefully our boat will need to be concerned about such things.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Tape measure or a long ruler works just fine. Measure the girth at the widest point on their body.