White sturgeon in California
Where white sturgeon live in California, with limits.
- none (release)daily bag
Photo of the species, not of California: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Angling for white sturgeon across the state
White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is a fresh and salt water species CDFW lists in its sturgeon group. Bag and size (Inland waters (Sacramento-San Joaquin system)): none (release), none.
Look for it in 1 lake and 2 streams flagged by CDFW.
white sturgeon in CDFW words
“Gray with a pale belly. No dark stripes on sides or belly.”
- RangeIn saltwater, White Sturgeon range from the Gulf of Alaska to Ensenada, Mexico, but primarily reside in freshwater and estuarine habitats in the Fraser, Columbia, and Sacramento-San Joaquin River systems.
- HabitatWhite Sturgeon primarily inhabit estuaries of large rivers and move into freshwater to spawn; less commonly some move to nearshore marine waters.
- Fishing seasonIn the San Francisco Estuary and the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems, fishing for White Sturgeon is allowed from October 1 through June 30 in ocean waters and San Francisco Bay east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather Ri
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Rules for white sturgeon
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (Sacramento-San Joaquin system) | none (release) | none | Oct. 1 – June 30 from the west Carquinez Bridge east to downstream of the Feather River confluence (Sacramento R.) and downstream of the I-5 bridge (San Joaquin |
| Ocean waters (ยง27.00) | none (release) | none | October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
Flagged water for white sturgeon
white sturgeon lakes
- Shasta Lake29,500 acres
white sturgeon streams
- Sacramento RiverShasta
- Feather RiverButte
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; largest waters first.
Related to white sturgeon
- Green sturgeonsturgeon
Waters close to White sturgeon
Photo: E mln e, CC BY 4.0
Photo: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: railfan 44, Public domain
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Short answers on white sturgeon
Does California set a size limit on white sturgeon?
none (release) (Inland waters (Sacramento-San Joaquin system)), size none.
Is there a state record for white sturgeon?
No record is on the CDFW table.
Where in California should I fish for white sturgeon?
CDFW flags 3 waters, including Shasta Lake, Sacramento River and Feather River.
Will CDFW plant white sturgeon this year?
It is not in the 2026 plan.
How big do white sturgeon get?
Scientific name Acipenser transmontanus.
When can I target white sturgeon?
Oct. 1 – June 30 from the west Carquinez Bridge east to downstream of the Feather River confluence (Sacramento R.) and downstream of the I-5 bridge (San Joaquin R.); Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 upstream of the Feather River conflue
Do I need a license for white sturgeon?
The $64.54 resident annual, with cards for steelhead, sturgeon and lobster.
Where do I hire a boat for white sturgeon?
No operator reports it; try the guides page.
Chase white sturgeon statewide
Each water named here opens to its own page.