Sturge
07-23-2003, 02:51 PM
IT PIMP, Canada and the US share the St. Clair river, lake St.Clair and the Detroit river system. What they do not share is their opinion and rules on the keeping of this majestic fish.
In Canada you can keep one Sturgeon any size per day per angler, with no closed season in our region. On the US side we are restricted to one fish per tag with a slot limit and a season open only after Mr. Ugly has spawned.
Do they taste good? you bet. Do I keep a couple during the season? yes. You should taste those steaks on the grill or in a Gumbo. Do I practice catch and release? everytime I catch a fish too large she goes back. I have yet to catch a legal sized Sturgeon on the US side of the river, All have been over the 50" slot limit.
At the top of the St. Clair river on the Canadian side (Pt. Edward just north of Sarnia) there is a commercial fisherman whom has rights to trap in the river mouth below the Bluewater bridge. Michigan DNR works closely with him in recording the numbers of Sturgeon he catches in his nets. My understanding is he releases them and DNR claims over the past few years he has released thousands after tagging. Most of these fish head for Lake Huron.
I have never caught a Sturgeon with a tag. All of the fish I have caught over the years, that I kept have been over 20# and under 40# in weight. These fish can grow to 9'+ and reach ages 80years and above. They can leap out of the water like a Tarpon or bulldog and run off three hundred yards of 30# and leave you with a stupid look on your face when that line hits the bitter end and pops or should I say sounds like a firecracker.
To say that I enjoy this natural gift is a understatement if I see numbers of these fish dropping I will stop keeping my one or two a year for the table.
Take this fish on and I can guarantee all other species will become fill in until the next Sturgeon trip.
I hope this gives you some insite as to my thoughts on Mr. Ugly.
Keep those hooks sharp!
Tom
In Canada you can keep one Sturgeon any size per day per angler, with no closed season in our region. On the US side we are restricted to one fish per tag with a slot limit and a season open only after Mr. Ugly has spawned.
Do they taste good? you bet. Do I keep a couple during the season? yes. You should taste those steaks on the grill or in a Gumbo. Do I practice catch and release? everytime I catch a fish too large she goes back. I have yet to catch a legal sized Sturgeon on the US side of the river, All have been over the 50" slot limit.
At the top of the St. Clair river on the Canadian side (Pt. Edward just north of Sarnia) there is a commercial fisherman whom has rights to trap in the river mouth below the Bluewater bridge. Michigan DNR works closely with him in recording the numbers of Sturgeon he catches in his nets. My understanding is he releases them and DNR claims over the past few years he has released thousands after tagging. Most of these fish head for Lake Huron.
I have never caught a Sturgeon with a tag. All of the fish I have caught over the years, that I kept have been over 20# and under 40# in weight. These fish can grow to 9'+ and reach ages 80years and above. They can leap out of the water like a Tarpon or bulldog and run off three hundred yards of 30# and leave you with a stupid look on your face when that line hits the bitter end and pops or should I say sounds like a firecracker.
To say that I enjoy this natural gift is a understatement if I see numbers of these fish dropping I will stop keeping my one or two a year for the table.
Take this fish on and I can guarantee all other species will become fill in until the next Sturgeon trip.
I hope this gives you some insite as to my thoughts on Mr. Ugly.
Keep those hooks sharp!
Tom