White sturgeon in the Fraser River have diverse and seasonal dietary preferences throughout their life cycle. Here’s what they typically will eat, and what we often use while sturgeon fishing:
A sturgeon relies on scent to find their food but also by feel or vibration and movement. Those pores on their underside of their snout are known as Ampullae of Lorenzini, and are capable of detecting electrical and magnetic signals. Their eyesight is poor and visibility is low in a turbid river such as the Fraser. The wide, underslung mouth seems to have the characteristic of a suction hose, and has no teeth.
JUVENILES
Young sturgeon feed on small freshwater shrimp, insect larvae (mayflies, caddies and stone), fish eggs (roe) as well as other small bits of fish flesh.
We generally don’t target juveniles on our main season trips however, winter is an excellent time to fish for juveniles. Juvenile sturgeon are fished for tagging purposes to determine population numbers, populations by age groups, distribution as well as growth rates. This is a great family day outing with the kids as there is often plenty of action that everyone can enjoy. The added benefit is that you are a part of the sturgeon conservation effort.
ADULTS
Larger sturgeon switch to larger prey and a fish-based diet.
They follow various salmon runs and seem to be very fond of chinook, sockeye and pink salmon. They also feed on eulachon, which is an important spring migration of smelts and the sturgeon’s first big feed of the year. Lamprey eel migrate up the Fraser in June and July and are regularly eaten by sturgeon. Every so often we will see circular marks on the underside of a sturgeon, indicating the attachment site of a lamprey eel. Coarse fish like suckers, pike minnow and chub are a staple food source throughout the season. Late fall chum runs are the source of a big, season-ending feast on carcasses and eggs before water temperatures drop and the fish settle in for a restful winter.
Sturgeon were once regarded as opportunistic feeders on whatever drifted along the bottom and into their way, but these fish are far more predatory than originally once thought to be.
Have a great season, be safe and be considerate to other anglers on the river.
It is a pleasure to have spent 35 years guiding and running boats on this amazing waterway.
Come join us for a day of sturgeon or salmon fishing on the river, and experience all that the Fraser river has to offer!
Have fun, enjoy what we have today, and remember, you can’t catch them from the couch.
We look forward to spending quality time in the boat with all of you soon!
Best wishes to you all, from all of us!
Cheers!
Whether you are looking for a day trip fishing or you want to stay longer, we can arrange everything from your pickup at the airport in a limo, to your hotel accommodation and the best guided fishing tours in the Fraser Valley. Please contact Marc or Maggie on Toll Free: 1-877-887-4366 or use our contact form.