How to Identify a Sturgeon

• 5 rows of bony plates (scutes) running the length of the body
• Shark-like upturned (heterocercal) tail; no scales, leathery skin
• 4 barbels in a row ahead of a toothless, protrusible tube mouth underneath
• White sturgeon: barbels nearer the SNOUT TIP; ~38-48 lateral scutes; no scute behind the dorsal fin
• Green sturgeon: barbels nearer the MOUTH; ~23-30 lateral scutes; one large scute behind the dorsal fin

Tell it apart: Separate the two legal-status species correctly: WHITE sturgeon barbels sit closer to the snout tip and there is NO scute behind the dorsal fin (harvestable in season); GREEN sturgeon barbels sit closer to the mouth with a scute behind the dorsal fin and far fewer lateral scutes, and greens are protected and must be released.

How to Catch Sturgeon

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• A winter fishery, peaking December through February on the high muddy tides — anchor and soak ghost shrimp or roe on a heavy sliding bottom rig.GearSturgeon sliding rigBarbless circle hooksHeavy sturgeon rod
• Best late fall into winter, November through January — anchor and soak smelt, sand shrimp, or roe on a heavy sliding bottom rig in deep holes.GearSturgeon sliding rigBarbless circle hooksHeavy sturgeon rod

When & Where Sturgeon Are in Season

Sturgeon Regulations

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