These prehistoric-looking fish can be found from the Spring right on through the Fall season every year on the Skagit System as well as other North Puget Sound area rivers.

It is a patience game fishing for these hard-fighting monsters whose initial bite resembles a tiny fish pecking at your bait. Of course when your rod buckles, you'll realize it's no wimpy bullhead. It's an aquatic beast that can average from 3 to 10 feet long. With whiskers like a catfish and skin resembling a shark's, these armor-plated brutes will peel like off so fast your fingers could blister.

These fish are much sought after, not only for their fight but also for their flavor. Firm, white meat resembling halibut has a delicate taste and texture. This can be cut into steaks and grilled like swordfish, or can be smoked like salmon. Any halibut recipe will easily work for Sturgeon.

Keepers are between 42 and 60 inches long and average 40 to 60 pounds.