I almost have my boat ready and I really want to chase some gators. I have tried in all three of these places before with NO success. Anyone willing to swap e-mails about these fisheries that knows whats going on?

QuickStix,

Funny you should bring this up. I've been wondering myself if anyone out there have been targeting them. I had recently stumbled across some old photographs and articles about sturgeon in the Puget Sound. One of the most interesting was a old F & H News picture of a 25# white sturgeon caught off Duwamish Head by a moocher. Apparently they are out there and yet you are one of the few I've even heard that is fishing for them. I'm not looking for specifics but I am curious if there are others out there that are fishing for these bad boys too.

EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AND I WILL SHOW YOU A SPOT THAT I CAUGHT 14 IN ONE DAY, ALL LEGAL 42-60 INCH 10 FOOTERS IN THERE . PROTECTED WATER. STILLY LOCATION. I USED TO GO THERE WITH MY DRIFT BOAT, NOW POWER BOAT. ANYWAY, ANY ONE WANTING TO KNOW, WILL HELP IN MY SPOT? KNOW OF OTHER PERSON CATCHES OVER 100 PER YEAR. THANKS
FSHBELLY@AOL.COM

I've never fished for them, but have seen them roll in the Snohomish several times. Once I was fishing for coho with my buddy in my 14' Lund and this very large sturgeon raised his head out of the water right next to the boat. It was like a scene from "Jaws". He was so close I could have tapped him on the head with my rod. He went back under and I looked at my buddy in the bow and it had scared him so bad he was whimpering like a little girl. All six foot four of him.

If you were to launch at the Maple Street ramp(it has been improved) I would head to either the upriver trestle or the mouth of the Pilchuck, both have deep holes. There are sturgeon in there.

Fishbelly, Lets talk. I no the Snohomish mouth, and would just love to learn the stilly

there are no sturgeon in the stilly
there are no sturgeon in the stilly
there are no sturgeon in the stilly
and even if there were they fight like dogfish
try a humpy fillet down stream of the bottom
launch bout half a mile when the silvers are
running and fish very shallow that time of year

oh ya low tide and watch for jumpers

Thanks Rattle. NExt time I have an open seat I will let you know.

Hello,
I'm new to this group but a long time fisherman. I would love to hook up with a solid Sturgeon fisherman for these rivers. I've always wanted to learn Sturgeon fishing on the Snohomish, Stilly etc. I don't have a boat, yet, but would be more than happy to split gas, bait, food etc...

the fish up here are very migrtory I swear some days there are a millon in the stilly then the next day they are all gone we've even caught a few with columbia river tags in them

no thanks on the boat ride I really don't enjoy
the sturgeon's fight don't like the way they taste and can't see killing a creature that will live to be 100 years old as a teenager (they are only 13-30 years old in the leagle slot)
their is something about seeing them in odd places like the samish or kennedy creek that makes me cast for them.

Rattlefish,

I still like to fish for sturgeon, even though I haven't killed one in 20 years. They're fun, especially for the kids. I reached the decision similarly. I killed three, couldn't find a way to cook them so that I liked them, and haven't killed one since.

You wouldnt believe how many people I've offered sturgeon to that said"no thanks,I dont really like it".Or maybe you would from the sounds of things.
I've converted most of these people into big fans of a good meal of sturgeon.They practically beg for it when I have some to spare.

If you dont like sturgeon because it tastes too strong or fishy its because its not cleaned right.When properly cleaned its about as mild a fish as you can find.I think its better than any halibut I've ever ate.
When you fillet a sturgeon get every bit of red meat off of it,and if its got a lot of fat on it trim as much of the yellow off as you can also.That is what gives it the strong taste.

If you dont think they put up much of a fight,then your really missing out on some fun.I've had some that were dogs.But I've hooked some that fought like a steelhead.Totally crazy.Imagine A 5-10 FOOT Fish coming out of the water and shaking its head at you a few times before making a huge splash and then just about imediately do it a gain 3 or 4 times.Then dive straight for the bottom.tow a 20 ft boat around like your on a leash then jump again.And keep it up for an hour or two.
You think a salmon or steelhead will make you break out in a sweat or make your knees shake.Thats kids play compared to an oversize sturgeon.
When your pole goes off while fishing for sturgeon,you never know if its a doinker that your going to pull in like a small weight,or a gator that can pull you in, or make your arms and back ache for days.
Combine a sturgeon trip with shad fishing up at Bonneville and you have enough action to keep anybody interested.Fish for shad for bait and fun till your tired of it.Then go for your keeper sturgeon,then go for a killer workout with oversize sturgeon.You can have action from daylight till dark.Then throw in some of the most beutiful scenery you could imagine.And it can be an amazing experience.

Silver Hilton as many of your posts as I read,as much as it seems you like to fish,if you havent tried it.I would think this type of fishing would be right up your ally.

I have to get off here now but will post a few of my favorite sturgeon recipes as soon as I can.You will change your mind about not liking the taste of these fish.I would practically gaurantee it.

hntnfsh,
I know the taste is mild kinda like tofu put any spices on it and it tastes like you chugged a bottle of spice glad to hear you like it though
as far as fight I've caught 10 ever in three trips all from the stilly 2 jumped 2 took long runs the rest came circleing to the boat just like a big dogfish thats just my experince. I get a better percentage of long runs off big dogfish in puget sound and the fishing is more consitant you like to fish for um great, have at it, just not my cup of tea. thats all. he asked if I could give him some help on locating fish I just related my knowlage didn't mean to offend anyone.
I've got a friend who won't fish lake lenore because he says the cutts there just roll over when you hook them so I don't call him when I go there. dosn't mean he's not the first on my list if I want to go steelheading. he flat refuses to fish for chum also. his loss I think dosn't mean he's wrong just not the way he likes to fish.

rattlefish,

no offense taken.Honestly none meant.Guess I just get more excited about sturgeon fishin and eatin than some.Sorry if you took my reply as anything other than enthusiastic.Thats all there was to it.

A while back, hunting and fishing news did an article on Snohomish, Stillaguamish sturgeon fishing.