A fishing guide in British Columbia who helped land a giant sturgeon in the Fraser River in early June says he believes the fish is the largest white sturgeon ever caught on rod and reel. And the guide, Kevin Estrada, knows a thing or two about big sturgeon. In 2021 he caught Pete Peters, a retired NHL goalie, on a white sturgeon that probably weighed about 890 pounds, or about half a ton. For comparison, current All-tackle world record This species weighed 468 pounds.
Estrada, who operates Sturgeon Slayers Out of Chilliwack, says the sturgeon one of his customers pulled out of the Fraser on June 4 was even bigger than Peters’ 2021 fish — so big, in fact, that even a measuring tape couldn’t cut it.
“Once you finish the first 120-inch tape, and you need a second tape measure,” Estrada explained. ctv news“Then you know (you have) something interesting.”
By combining the two tapes, the Fraser River sturgeon measured 11 feet 8.2 inches in length. Estrada also measured a girth of 60 inches and he estimated the fish weighed about 1,200 pounds. This figure is probably based on one of many sources Which use length and circumference measurements to determine the weight of the fish.
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Fishermen tagged the sturgeon but did not actually weigh it before releasing it. this is due to Strict catch and release rules In British Columbia, that prohibits fishermen from taking any white sturgeon out of the water. In most places, You can’t even target them. This species is designated as endangered throughout the province, with the Fraser offering the only recreational fishery in all of BC.
In Estrada’s eyes, these protective reefs are one of the main reasons why the Fraser River is still home to world-record sized white sturgeon. As co-chairman of Fraser Valley Angling Guides AssociationEstrada has been a longtime catch-and-release supporter and Fraser a proponent of white sturgeon tagging programWhich helps researchers learn more about these prehistoric giants. Estrada to be honored in 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal In recognition of his contribution to sturgeon conservation.
talking with Chilliwack Progress Last week, Estrada described his latest catch as “far more than the record.” He said it shows how conservation-minded, responsible fishing can help protect the species that swim this planet. for over 200 million years.
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“It’s a reminder that there are giants swimming in the Fraser River, and it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to see and protect them,” Estrada said. “We don’t own the river. We manage it. Every fish we catch is treated as a survival record, not a trophy.”
