1,000+ lb. Rainy River Sturgeon?

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Quote:

June 2, 2006

Thousand-Pound Sturgeon Caught

The Improving fishery status of this “prehistoric fish” is a good sign for Florida sturgeon

Sturgeon were plentiful in West Florida until they were hammered by gill nets into near oblivion in the 1930s, but we don’t remember hearing of a behemouth like this one which was caught recently at the mouth of Rainy River in Minnesota.

Four anglers took turns for six hours reeling in the 11-footer that weighed more than 1000 pounds.

A limited non-commercial take is allowed and stocks are making a slow comeback according to fishery managers. Florida is also nurturing a program to bring back the unusual fish famed more for its caviar though the meat is excellent too.

Was this legitimate because I don't remember Sturgeon getting this big in Minnesota. Also isn't the state record around 100 lbs.? If so then why isn't this thing the record.

[harvey lee]

NO, that picture was floating around for the past couple years. I believe its a sturgeon from out west maybe in Washington state in the Columbia river.

One big fish for sure.

Darren, you been out sturgeon fishing and land this one???

[DTro]

yeah right

That one there is a Western Canadian White Sturgeoon

[wastewaterguru]

Sweet fish, but definately a white sturgeon. It is a west coast species. That brand of boat is only seen on the west coast also.

[Jethro80]

I do remember hearing about that. I remember it was claimed out of a river in Washington, not sure of the name. Regardless of the location, that's one crazy lookin fish

[DTro]

I remember it was claimed out of a river in Washington

Like I said ealier, it was caught in the Fraser River in British Columbia.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I figured it was from the west coast, but the article is so misleading. I was thinking there is no way a Laker could be caught this big in MN.

[hanson]

I figured it was from the west coast, but the article is so misleading. I was thinking there is no way a Laker could be caught this big in MN.

Although our Lakers will never grow to the size of those White Sturgeon, history has shown that they did grow to incredible size in this state before the population got decimated. Some of the old time photos from the Rainy & LOW show fish that had to be 7-8' long and 200-300lbs. Been a few estimated 100 pounders caught on the Rainy and released so its only a matter of years before we start to see much larger ones. Hopefully with proper regulation and a catch and release ethic which is "catching" on, we'll see some large fish in our future.

BTW, I'd love to have a big diesel jetboat like that CustomWeld.

[DARK30]

A little trip to Vancouver has been on my mind for sometime now

The Columbia and the Fraser both....still waiting for my bailout

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Man, that is a monster fish

[mrklean]

thats a big old fish

[croixflats]

You dont have to go only to the west coast for those saw a few pictures of one 11 ft'er out of Wyoming. Don't remember the river but it was below a big damm

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Don't remember the river but it was below a big damm

Hoover dam?

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I'm hoping to do the Sturgeon Excursion but I am just kinda nervous because we don't have a boat and I have never navigated a river before and also we would probably be the youngest people there (I'm 21, my buddy is 22).

[hanson]

I'm hoping to do the Sturgeon Excursion but I am just kinda nervous because we don't have a boat and I have never navigated a river before and also we would probably be the youngest people there (I'm 21, my buddy is 22).

Its more like a long lake. The Rainy is fairly deep and the current is slow comparitively speaking. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Gordie]

we caught a 38 incher thru the ice on LOTW earlier this year and I think that I have got to try it with open water tackle.

Hope to make a trip this spring.

[crazyice]

Originally Posted By: MinnesnowtaWild

I'm hoping to do the Sturgeon Excursion but I am just kinda nervous because we don't have a boat and I have never navigated a river before and also we would probably be the youngest people there (I'm 21, my buddy is 22).

Its more like a long lake. The Rainy is fairly deep and the current is slow comparitively speaking. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Couldn't agree more! If you are without a boat, I would just do some looking into rentals along the river. As far as fishing for them, it's as simple as it gets. Crawler on the bottom and just wait for them to nibble it.

[Ed Carlson]

I believe that is from a Charter Guide on the Colombia River, seen him before in some pics from out there, I think that is him at the head of the White Sturgeon, in the bibs.

White Sturgeon are ocean roamers so it could be a fish caught in Florida waters? They live in the ocean tell they run up rivers to spawn.

8' to 12' Whitey's are doable on the West Coast rivers, and up in the land locked sections of the Colombia River and BC rivers.

[DTro]

I believe that is from a Charter Guide on the Colombia River, seen him before in some pics from out there

LOL,

once again, The fish pictured above was caught on the Fraser river in British Columbia by a group out of Len's Sportfishing Adventures.

Len's might also fish in the Columbia, but the fish above is out the of the Fraser River.

[Shack]

LOL, I think they have put you on ignore Darren .

End of discussion, it was caught out of the Fraser River like Dtro said!

Here is another monster from the guide service that pulled the one that this thread is about out of the "Fraser River"

[Dan189]

Yes, Darren was correct all three times. Here is a video I found of a 400lb 9ftr caught on the fraser.

[DARK30]

That fish came from Sand Creek in Jordan! I'd stake my "I'm a champion catman" ego on that!

No respect from these new boys eh Ed?

[Ed Carlson]

Sand Creek it is then.

[DTro]

Since I made the initial reply to Ed I assume your post was directed at me Dark?

No disrespect intended. In fact it’s quite the opposite.

Did anyone see the picture of that HUGE pike that was caught on LOW? Someone just emailed it to me

[Tyler Holm]

Did anyone see the picture of that HUGE pike that was caught on LOW? Someone just emailed it to me

I took that picture. My uncle came over from Europe and he was the lucky one to land it. That little 3' pike swiped at my lure and then nailed his. Just then that mammoth grabbed that 3' pike (perpendicular style) and held on all the way to the net. Mind blowing experience. No, it's not a photoshop job either.