OAR 635-004-0645: Sturgeon Size Limit

(1) Except as provided in OAR 635-007-0700 through 635-007-0720 it is unlawful to: (a) Take from the waters of this state or to land sturgeon for commercial purposes less than 43 inches or more than 54 inches in fork length; (b) Remove the head or tail of any sturgeon taken from the waters of this state or landed for commercial purposes prior to being received at the premises of a wholesale fish dealer or canner; or (c) To possess, sell, or transport any whole sturgeon under four feet in length taken for commercial purposes in the waters of this state or the Pacific Ocean. Proof of possession, sale, or transportation of any dressed sturgeon under 28 inches in length exclusive of head and tail shall in itself create a permissible inference that the dressed sturgeon was under 43 inches in fork length at the time it was taken. (2) Any person fishing with commercial fishing gear in the waters of this state who, on lifting, drawing, taking up or removing any such gear finds sturgeon entangled or caught therein which are not within the legal length limits set forth in subsection (1)(a) of this rule or during a season not open for sturgeon, shall immediately, with care and the least possible injury to the fish, disentangle, release and transfer the fish to the water without violence.