Seven Sturgeon Stolen from Bonneville Hatchery Pond

Nearly half a million people visit Bonneville hatchery annually to view the sturgeon ponds.

Photos courtesy: ODFW

(CASCADE LOCKS, Ore.) - Police are seeking information to identify who is responsible for the theft of seven white sturgeon from Bonneville Hatchery last weekend. Both Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are involved in the case.

On Monday, a fish and wildlife volunteer discovered that the lower sturgeon pond at the hatchery was empty. There had been seven sturgeon in the pond ranging from two and a half feet to over five feet in length.

The small sturgeon pond is managed by ODFW hatchery staff and compliments the larger sturgeon exhibit created in 1998 by the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation and ODFW.

The Sturgeon Viewing and Interpretive Center was designed as an educational opportunity for the public to view this prehistoric fish in a natural environment and learn about the history of sturgeon on the Columbia River.

This is the hatchery pond that the fish were stolen out of

"It's very disappointing that someone would steal these sturgeon away from the enjoyment of all Oregonians," says Greg Davis, Bonneville Hatchery Manager. "It really impacts our educational program – one that has been an Oregon favorite for many years."

Nearly half a million people visit Bonneville hatchery annually to view the sturgeon ponds.

The Columbia River's white sturgeon population remains one of the world's last healthy self-sustaining populations. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish species in North America and can reach lengths of almost 20 feet, 1,000 pounds and may live well over 100 years.

Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Mike Hanson is investigating the crime. Anyone with information is asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888.