In Manitoba, the most common and maybe the only species of Sturgeon left is the White Sturgeon. The Red River is one of the last places in Canada where good populations of Sturgeon are accessible to fisherpersons. River Fishing In the spring, the sturgeon will be in the fast moving water and rapids because they are spawning. They are out of season at this time so enough said about that. The season opens June 15. By this time, the Sturgeon are sitting back in the deep slow moving pools or in dark corners of the river during the day. At night, they will come into the shallows or swim up to the base of a rapids.

Sturgeon are bottom feeders. They basically eat anything edible that they find on the bottom. Bugs, crayfish, dead fish, dead animals, snails and worms that are washed into the river are all on the menu. With this in mind, Sturgeon fishing is like fishing for big Channel Cats. An easy rig to use is a bell sinker and a hook. Slide the bell sinker on then put a small slit-shot about 3 feet from the hook. Let the sinker sit on bottom and have the hook and bait swirl around on the bottom freely. When you get a bit, let your line out to make sure the fish has it for a few seconds then set the hook. The Sturgeon will be in the deeper pools behind rapids. Sturgeon in the Red River average between 20 and 40 pounds but fish up to 1o0 pounds have be caught. With this in mind, try using a medium to heavy rod with 15 to 30 pound test line. Use a heavy leader and a #10 or #12 hook. Make sure they are strong hooks. For bait, you can use a big glob of worm, cheese or salmon eggs in a nylon sack like a big spawn bag. You can also use a chunk of meat off a sucker or carp. Remember, in Manitoba, it's illegal to use any game fish, whole or part, for bait. This also includes Perch which are not game fish.