White sturgeon fishing near Vancouver

What is sturgeon fishing on the Fraser like?

You fish from an anchored jet boat with heavy tackle and bait on the bottom. Bites are unmistakable, and a hooked sturgeon usually runs hard and often jumps clear of the water. Fights typically last 10 to 40 minutes depending on the size of the fish. Most charters land two to five fish in a day, with the average fish between four and six feet and the best of them well past eight.

Catch and release, always

White sturgeon in the lower Fraser are a protected population. Fish are never lifted from the water, they are measured and scanned or tagged alongside the boat for the provincial monitoring program, and they are revived and released before the next bait goes out. Your day contributes data to one of the longest-running sturgeon studies in the world.

When is the best time?

March to November. Spring and late fall bring lower, clearer water and consistent action. Mid-summer freshet raises the river but the big fish feed hard on migrating salmon. If you have flexible dates, we will steer you toward the strongest window.

Who is it for?

Complete beginners through to experienced anglers. There is no casting skill required — the guide sets the gear and coaches you through the fight. Kids from about eight years old do well with a hand from an adult. Trips run six or eight hours from a ramp roughly 30 to 60 minutes from downtown Vancouver.