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    North American Outdoorsman
    Home » All Articles » Sturgeon Fishing On The North Saskatchewan
    Fishing

    Sturgeon Fishing On The North Saskatchewan

    Lisa RoperBy Lisa RoperMay 31, 2022Updated:October 3, 20225 Mins Read
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    It is September. My car window is down, and the warm breeze and sun are gracing my face. The sky is a magnificent blue with no clouds or any chance of rain. I have a seemingly endless view of peaceful lakes, thick boreal forest, untamed rivers, slow-trickling creeks, and rolling grass-covered hills. I’m located two hours north of Edmonton, Alberta. As I turn off the paved highway, a tunnel of trees guides me down a long, windy country road to the boat launch on the large, fast-moving, mountain-fed North Saskatchewan River.

    As an avid angler, I regularly pursue walleye, pike, and lake trout; however, there is one fish in Alberta I have only dreamed of catching: the lake sturgeon.

    Dinosaurs of the Lake

    According to alberta.ca, lake sturgeon have coarse skin, no scales, and can live up to 100 years. They have the longest life span among the province’s cool-water fish. There’s something a little mind-boggling about the idea of catching a fish that could be older than I am. But today, for the brief moment between catch and release, my journey and a lake sturgeon’s will intersect.

    early-morning view
    An early-morning view of my drive.

    Nick Porayko, the captain and owner of Lunker’s Fishing Adventures, has the boat anchored and waiting at the launch, so I quickly load my gear. As the jet engine shoots us down the river, its echo bounces off the tree-covered riverbanks.

    The view from the boat is impressive, with the autumn leaves changing from green to yellow, orange, and red. Much of the landscape is untouched. With no other engine sound filling the air, I feel like the first person to fish this river.

    As the boat glides around each bend, my thoughts are focused on catching a fish referred to as a living dinosaur. I can’t wait to feel the torpedo-shaped weight of the grey, armor-plated sturgeon on my fishing line.

    jet engine
    The jet engine shoots us down the river

    The Adventure Begins

    Nick pulls back on the throttle and the boat comes to a stop at our first fishing location. Here, you can see the quick change in the current of the water.

    We use seven-foot medium-heavy rods and a six-ounce weight with a standard number three hook, baited with dew worms. Nick is well respected on the North Saskatchewan River and advises me that patience is a virtue when fishing for sturgeon. This watercourse is reportedly home to 28 different fish species, and it isn’t long before I catch both silver redhorse and white sucker. I’ve already caught two fish I have not reeled in before, so the day is off to a phenomenal start.

    When the first sturgeon begins nibbling the bait, the bite is so soft I can’t feel it. I anticipated that a fish as big as a sturgeon would hit the hook like a freight train, but I quickly learned otherwise. Lake sturgeon have no teeth, and the mouth, on the underside of the snout, is used as a suction device to capture food.

    Angler reeling in a lake sturgeon
    Fishing Success: Catching My First Sturgeon

    The Tap Comes

    With my full attention focused on watching the fishing rod’s tip, I wait intently for the most minor movement. Finally, my patience is rewarded. A subtle tap, tap, and I tighten the line. With one full-bodied, sweeping motion, I set the hook. The strength of this sturgeon bends the tip of my fishing rod right over. I hold tight as I watch my reel relentlessly and aggressively give up line. I tighten the drag to bring back some of the line, but this sturgeon isn’t giving up its inhaled bait.
    catch

    The power battle plays out time after time, another three rounds, and each time I tighten the drag a little more, trying to avoid hurting or stressing the fish unnecessarily. She jumps out of the water in one final attempt to display her strength. Slowly and steadily, I now reel in the line as she surrenders to the bait.

    We quickly remove the circle hook from the sturgeon’s lip, and I rest her gently in my hands for a quick picture. I can’t hide the emotion I feel or wipe the smile from my face.

    Thinking Fish First

    Nick has a fish-first attitude and guides my release effort perfectly. I hold my hands below the fish and lower her into the water. It’s a special moment. I give the sturgeon freedom to go, but she decides to rest a while longer, allowing me to give thanks. Nick has the GoPro positioned beneath the water and when the sturgeon is ready, her immense power and energy are captured as she kicks off like an Olympic swimmer to the pool’s far end.

    Baiting the hook
    Baiting the hook.

    Sturgeon Fishing Success

    I caught and released three lake sturgeon that day. Each provided a different experience to reel in against the fast-moving, negotiating water. I have a much deeper appreciation for the captivating dinosaurs of the North Saskatchewan River now.

    A successful day of fishing for new species means learning from a knowledgeable angler, absorbing information, and growing. The genuine reward is the beauty of the surroundings, the smell of changing leaves, the feel of the fast-flowing water, the adrenaline, and the energy I get from people when I’m fishing. Receiving such wondrous gifts and catching the fish I came for is a day I will never forget.

    _______

    For more about fishing for lake sturgeon, check out this article: Fishing Western Canada’s Lake Sturgeon

    June 2022
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    Lisa Roper
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    Lisa Roper is enthusiastic about all things outdoors. Enjoying her time in the woods and on the waters in Western Canada, she doesn’t just spend some of her free time pursuing her passion, she has been creating memories that will last a lifetime. Join Lisa Roper Outdoors on Sportsman Channel Canada and World Fishing Network on an authentic outdoor journey. Lisa engages the viewer’s emotions in an exciting and wildly inspiring fishing experience. Between the beautiful scenery, delicious shore lunches, fishing tales shared among friends, and phenomenal trophy fish on the line, Lisa will surely have you hooked! Lisa is a strong advocate for conservation and ethically sustainable hunting and angling. Her greatest joy comes from introducing people, particularly women and youth, to the amazing opportunities and adventures that accompany hunting, angling, and the outdoors! Through her journeys, outdoor writing, engagements, and workshops she strives to educate and inspire others to find joy and confidence in an outdoor lifestyle.

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    NAO is the window into the outside environment for readers pursuing their passions in hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and all pursuits in the outdoors on the North American continent. We will present stories, tips and techniques to be a better outdoorsman, and be completely at home in the outdoor environment for a day, week, or a lifetime.
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