First sturgeon

[kzoofisher]

Got him on a 3” fork tail plastic and a 1/4 oz jig. Had to tail him in because my net won’t handle 49”, it’s never had to before and probably won’t again. Ok, 49 is approximate. The boat tape only goes to 36 and I had to slide him. St. Croix ml and 8# leader off 8# braid. Took about 10 minutes to get him up to the boat where the kid tailed him. He says sturgeon are much easier to grab than salmon.

[rockpt]

Outstanding! Good to see those fish coming back. They have a spring season on the Rainy River where it flows into LOTW and some real monsters are caught every year.

[bfish]

fantastic

Great eating fish too (where legal). I got one about that size in downtown Portland Oregon, what a blast.

Populations is on the rebound here in TN, I can't wait to catch one here.

[tandm]

Very nice fish and great picture.

[7 Mag]

That must of been fun, congrats!

[kzoofisher]

Originally Posted by rockpt

Outstanding! Good to see those fish coming back. They have a spring season on the Rainy River where it flows into LOTW and some real monsters are caught every year.

They’ve been stocking them in this lake for years. Must have had them historically and it was good practice for reintroducing elsewhere. Sturgeon restoration is happening in several rivers that connect to the Great Lakes. There’s a few places with sturgeon seasons, St. Clair river probably giving you the best shot at one. This lake, Otsego, is known for them and it’s been a running joke every time we fish it that we might get one. The season is open right now with a 50” minimum and a season limit of one. I’m waiting for a 70” 😂. Expected to catch an incidental muskie long before a sturgeon. They don’t eat fish so how my fast moving jig managed to get in his mouth is a mystery.

[Thunder Bay Walleye]

Nice catch! Have caught them by accident as well on our local river while tolling flicker shads for Walleye. Always a surprise. Managed to get a somewhat decent video of the action on one such occasion.

Video
https://youtu.be/Y98VFxmvAr0

[kzoofisher]

Very cool. I’ve got about 10 minutes of video that needs serious editing to be watchable. Here’s a try at a short clip.

[kzoofisher]

Second and final try

[Anonymouse]

Kudos for being a TRUE sportsman and giving those Kings of Creation a fighting chance with 8# test.
Many fishermen wouldn't even think of trying for one without using double-digit test line.
Anonymouse has landed many 40" and up in the Wisconsin River on 4# test but you can forget about using it for a second fish & best re-spool.
Anonymouse carries an extra swap-able spool of 4# for just those occasions.

Again, Anonymouse applauds your success and TRUE sportsmanship in this matter.