Top White Sturgeon Fishing Countries

The white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is the largest freshwater fish in North America, renowned for its impressive size—sometimes exceeding 1,500 pounds—and its longevity, with some individuals living over a century. Native to the Pacific coast of North America, white sturgeon are primarily found in the river systems and estuaries of the United States and Canada, especially in the Columbia, Sacramento, and Fraser Rivers. The top countries for white sturgeon fishing are the United States and Canada, where both commercial and recreational fisheries exist, though strict regulations are in place due to conservation concerns. In the U.S., states like California, Oregon, and Washington have active sturgeon fisheries, while British Columbia in Canada is known for its catch-and-release sport fishery. Commercial harvest is limited, with most white sturgeon now farmed for their prized caviar, particularly in California, which leads the aquaculture industry for this species. Wild populations are carefully managed to ensure sustainability, making white sturgeon fishing both a historical tradition and a modern, regulated industry in these countries.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.