The white sturgeon sport fishing season opens Oct. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for catch-and-release fishing in the ocean, San Francisco Bay, Delta and lower Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers (consult the current regulations to verify open areas and times). Catch-and-release fishing for white sturgeon will continue to be available for anglers under new regulations enacted by the California Fish and Game Commission in August 2025. Previously, catch-and-release fishing was permitted by emergency regulations that were set to expire in September 2025.
Changes to the Sturgeon Report Card
The enacted regulations also include changes to the sturgeon fishing report card. Changes include shifting from a calendar-year approach to aligning with the sturgeon fishing season. Other changes to the card include the kinds of data anglers are asked to record. Anglers will be able to get a sturgeon report card at no fee this new season to help accommodate this change. Starting with the 2026-27 season, sturgeon report cards will be $8.13, reduced from the previous fee of $11.06.
With the new report card, anglers are now asked to enter their results from each report card location they fish in a day on a separate line, rather than summarizing an entire trip on one line. CDFW no longer requires the exact lengths of fish caught. Instead, anglers are asked to record how many fish are caught in each location in the size ranges of smaller than 40-inch fork length (FL), between 40–60 in. FL, larger than 60 in. FL, and a simple tally of any green sturgeon. The new card contains a data table expanded from 18 lines to 30, but anglers must purchase a new report card when the table on the first card is full, as is required in all other state fishing report card programs. It is not permitted in regulations to write additional data elsewhere on the card.
How to Fish for White Sturgeon
California sturgeon fishing is a one-of-a-kind experience. In this how-to video, join CDFW on a trip to Suisun Bay and learn how to fish for white sturgeon. CDFW sturgeon experts share some of the gear and bait options as well as casting and reeling techniques to help you land this prehistoric fish.
