Sturgeon Lake Fishing
A 3,163-acre Oregon lake in Columbia and Multnomah counties.
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The quick picture on Sturgeon Lake
About 3,163 acres of open water make up Sturgeon Lake on the BLM map of Columbia and Multnomah counties. OSMB lists Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as the manager of its launches. Expect about 4 miles of driving to reach Scappoose.
The OSMB layer shows 1 open launch site here. Watch for 1 water-specific rule on this water. ODFW files it with the Willamette Zone.
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026.; launch managers from the Oregon State Marine Board launch layer; Census 2023 places.
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These are the species an ODFW source ties to Sturgeon Lake.
Where the Sturgeon Lake fish list comes from
| Fish | Use ODFW records | Origin | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black crappie | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Bluegill | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Brown bullhead | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Carp | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Largemouth bass | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Yellow perch | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers (ODFW ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; a mapped species is habitat use ODFW records, not a catch report.
Launch sites that serve Sturgeon Lake
- Sturgeon Lake Accesshand carry launch; parking, hand launch; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Next-closest launches to Sturgeon Lake
- Haldman Pond Hand Launch on Haldeman PondHaldeman Pond, under a mile southwest
- Webster Pond Hand LaunchWebster Pond, under a mile southwest
- Sturgeon Lake West Hand Launch on Steelman LakeSteelman Lake, 2 miles northwest
- Sauvie Island Wildlife Area boat ramp on Multnomah ChannelMultnomah Channel, 2 miles northwest
- McCuddys Landing on Multnomah ChannelMultnomah Channel, 3 miles west
- McCuddys Big Oak Marina on Multnomah ChannelMultnomah Channel, 3 miles west
Oregon State Marine Board Boating Access Sites layer (OSMB ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; status as OSMB publishes it.
Keeping fish from Sturgeon Lake
The booklet lists Sturgeon Lake under the Willamette Zone, so that table is the starting point.
| Species | Daily limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. Streams: catch-and-release only, unless noted under Exceptions; 8-inch minimum | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open May 22 – Oct 31 unless noted under Exceptions. |
| Kokanee | 10 per day unless noted under Exceptions. | Open all year. |
| Salmon and Steelhead below Willamette Falls and Columbia River Tributa. | In the aggregate: 2 adult salmon or steelhead per day, 20 per year. 5 jacks per day, 2 daily jack limits in possession. | Closed in all waters unless noted under Exceptions. |
| Salmon above Willamette Falls | 2 adult salmon per day, 5 jacks per day, 2 daily jack limits in possession. 20 salmon and steelhead per year in aggregate. | Closed in all waters unless noted under Exceptions. |
| Steelhead above Willamette Falls | 3 adult steelhead per day (in addition to daily salmon bag limit). 20 salmon and steelhead per year in aggregate. | Closed in all waters unless noted under Exceptions. |
| Sturgeon | Catch-and-release only, unless noted under Exceptions. | Catch-and-release: Open all year, except as noted under Exceptions. |
| Bass | Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions. Streams: No limit. | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons, except mainstem Willamette River and sloughs and tidewater areas of Columbia. |
| Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Other Sunfish, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Stri. | No limit, unless noted under Exceptions. | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons, except mainstem Willamette River and sloughs and tidewater areas of Columbia. |
| Pacific Lamprey | Refer to General (Statewide) Regulations for regulations covering the harvest of Pacific lamprey. | Refer to General (Statewide) Regulations for regulations covering the harvest of Pacific lamprey. |
| Smelt | Closed. | Closed. |
Special regulations on Sturgeon Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Lake | sturgeon | Closed for sturgeon. | p. 45 |
Water exceptions as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (booklet PDF; printed page shown), read November 2, 2026. In-season changes from ODFW override them.
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident).
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Willamette Zone page), read November 2, 2026.
Lakes around Sturgeon Lake in one table
Size leader among the neighbours: Scappoose Bay, around 300 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | OSMB launches | Stocking weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Lake | 3,163 | lake | 1 | 0 | |
| Haldeman Pond | under a mile southwest | 5 | lake | 1 | 4 |
| Steelman Lake | 2 miles northwest | 106 | lake | 1 | 0 |
| Crane Lake | 4 miles north | 122 | lake | 1 | 0 |
| McNary Lake | 4 miles north | 214 | lake | 3 | 0 |
| Scappoose Bay | 7 miles north | 300 | lake | 1 | 0 |
BLM outlines, the OSMB launch layer and the ODFW stocking schedule; read November 2, 2026.
Shops, beds and water close to Sturgeon Lake
Reservoirs and lakes that neighbour Sturgeon Lake
- Haldeman Pondunder a mile southwest
- Steelman Lake2 miles northwest
- Crane Lake4 miles north
- McNary Lake4 miles north
- Scappoose Bay7 miles north
Tackle and bait counters close to Sturgeon Lake
- McCuddy's Landing Marinamarina, Scappoose, 3 miles
- Coon Island Marinamarina, Scappoose, 3 miles
- Bi-Mart (Scappoose)sporting goods store, Scappoose, 4 miles
- Rocky Pointe Marinamarina, Portland, 4 miles
- Fred's Marinabait and tackle shop, Portland, 7 miles
- Schooner Creek Boat Worksmarina, Portland, 9 miles
Paid trips on Sturgeon Lake
- Northwest Flyfishing Outfitterfly fishing guide, Portland, (503) 252-1529
Beds and campgrounds handy to Sturgeon Lake
- Scappoose4 miles
- St. Helens10 miles
- Bethany11 miles
Sturgeon Lake by county
- Columbia Countyseat: St. Helens
- Multnomah Countyseat: Portland
Piscifun tackle that suits a trip to Sturgeon Lake
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The look of the water close to Sturgeon Lake
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mk97007, CC BY 2.0
Photo: born1945, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bill Reynolds, CC BY 2.0
Answers on Sturgeon Lake from the Oregon sources
Which Oregon town is closest to Sturgeon Lake?
Point the car toward Columbia and Multnomah counties, about 4 miles from Scappoose.
What size is Sturgeon Lake on the map?
Some 3,163 acres of outline.
Which OSMB launch serves Sturgeon Lake?
One launch is on the layer: Sturgeon Lake Access.
Which fish does ODFW place in Sturgeon Lake?
Mapped fish include black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, carp, largemouth bass, yellow perch and sturgeon.
How many trout does ODFW let me keep at Sturgeon Lake?
Trout: Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. Streams: catch-and-release only, unless noted under Exceptions; 8-inch minimum. The ODFW booklet gives this water a line of its own, shown with the limits.
What should I buy before fishing Sturgeon Lake?
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident).
Is there bank access at Sturgeon Lake?
No listed shore site here; ask at a launch.
Is there an Oregon bait shop on the drive to Sturgeon Lake?
McCuddy's Landing Marina, roughly 3 miles away, is where our list starts.
Choose a still Oregon morning for Sturgeon Lake
Check the in-season updates before a fish goes in the cooler.