White Sturgeon
White sturgeon are North America's largest freshwater fish, and the Fraser River in British Columbia is where anglers come to find them at their biggest.
Fish between three and six feet are common; specimens over ten feet and several hundred pounds are caught regularly. The fishery is strictly catch-and-release, which is exactly why those big fish still exist.
Also known as Great White Sturgeon, Pacific sturgeon
- Elongated, shark-like body covered in rows of bony plates called scutes rather than scales — rough and prehistoric-looking in hand.
- Coloring runs gray to brownish on the back, fading to pale on the belly; four whisker-like barbels hang in front of the underslung, toothless mouth.
- Most Fraser River fish run 3–6 feet; fish over 7 feet are common on guided trips, and specimens exceeding 10 feet and 500+ lbs are caught every season.
- Distinguished from other sturgeon by two rows of 4–8 bony plates between the anus and anal fin — no other North American freshwater fish looks remotely like this.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to British Columbia; within Canada, found only in BC's river systems draining to the Pacific — primarily the Fraser and its tributaries.
- The Lower and Middle Fraser River hold the only populations currently healthy enough to support recreational angling; the Lower Fraser runs from Hope down to the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver.
- Separate, at-risk populations exist in the Upper Fraser, Nechako, Upper Columbia, and Kootenay rivers — all closed to recreational fishing under federal Species at Risk Act protections.
- Some populations are landlocked year-round; others are anadromous, moving between the river and saltwater, though most angling happens in the freshwater reaches.
Key Locations
- Lower Fraser River (Hope to the Strait of Georgia, BC) — the heart of the Canadian sturgeon fishery, with the highest density of large fish and year-round access in the tidal section.
- Middle Fraser River (Hope upstream to the Williams Lake tributary area) — seasonal openings provide additional access; check current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for specific windows.
- Harrison Hot Springs area — where the Harrison River meets the Fraser, a well-known concentration point for large sturgeon, especially during salmon runs.
- Chilliwack reach of the Fraser — a popular access point with multiple guide operations and consistent fish throughout the season.
Specific Spots
- Deep river holes and channel edges are the core holding water — sturgeon hug the bottom in current seams where food collects without requiring them to fight the full flow.
- Anchor upstream of a deep hole and fish bait behind the boat; sturgeon feed by feel and smell along the riverbed, so keeping bait on or near bottom is non-negotiable.
- Confluences where tributaries meet the main Fraser concentrate both baitfish and sturgeon, especially during salmon runs when carcasses and eggs drift downstream.
- Slower inside bends and gravel bars adjacent to deep water give fish a resting spot — worth working the transition between shallow and deep.
White Sturgeon FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Sturgeon?
Fresh salmon roe, salmon belly, and whole eulachon (a small, oily smelt) are the top baits on the Fraser, fresh and smelly outperforms frozen, and guides often source bait specifically for the day's conditions.
When is the best time to fish for White Sturgeon?
Year-round on the tidal Lower Fraser (Hope to the Strait of Georgia), though March through November is when fishing is most productive. Spring (March–May): fish become more active as water warms; good numbers of fish moving through the lower river.
How do you catch White Sturgeon?
Nearly all sturgeon fishing in Canada is done from anchored jet boats on the Fraser River, fishing heavy bottom rigs with fresh bait directly behind the boat in deep holes and current seams. Shore fishing is possible in some reaches but boat access puts you over the best water.
What do White Sturgeon eat?
Bottom feeders that locate food by smell and the vibration-sensing barbels near their mouth, they eat salmon eggs, salmon carcasses, eulachon (a small smelt-like fish), lamprey, crayfish, and clams.
Where do White Sturgeon live?
Native to British Columbia; within Canada, found only in BC's river systems draining to the Pacific, primarily the Fraser and its tributaries.
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