Freshwater

Sterlet

Esterlete (esturión del Danubio)

Acipenser ruthenus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–4 lb.

Depth

10–50 ft channels.

Best time

Night.

Found in

4 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A small sturgeon with a long, thin, pointed snout, fringed barbels, five rows of bony plates (with many small plates along the sides), and a gray-brown back with a yellowish belly.
Typical size: 1–4 lb.
Maximum size: About 4 ft and over 30 lb in old records; today rarely over 10 lb.
Diet: Insect larvae, worms, snails and small crustaceans.
Behavior: A purely freshwater sturgeon that lives in deep channels of big rivers.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Northern & Central Europe, Black Sea & Caspian, Russia, Mongolia & Kazakhstan and Greece & the Adriatic. The Danube and its tributaries, the Volga, Kama, Ob, Yenisei and other big rivers of Russia and Siberia.
Habitat: The Danube and its tributaries, the Volga, Kama, Ob, Yenisei and other big rivers of Russia and Siberia.
Depth: 10–50 ft channels.
Fishing depth: On the bottom.
Best season: Not a legal target in most places.
Best time: Night.
Best tides: No tide.
Best weather / conditions: Not applicable.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Pliers Line cutter Mat Hooks

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: The Danube and its tributaries, the Volga, Kama, Ob, Yenisei and other big rivers of Russia and Siberia.
Rig up: Not a target; release any accidental catch. Not applicable.
Pick your bait: Worms (caught by accident by bottom anglers). Lures: Not used.
Fish it: If you hook one by accident while fishing worms on the bottom, keep it in the water and release it right away.
Time it: Night. No tide.

Fishing techniques: If you hook one by accident while fishing worms on the bottom, keep it in the water and release it right away.
BigJoe's tip: Farmed sterlet are sold in markets; leave the wild ones in the river.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp bony plates; handle gently with wet hands.
Regulations: Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and protected in most Danube countries, where it must be released; Russia and Kazakhstan restrict it heavily. International trade is controlled by CITES. Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan require fishing licenses or permits, many rivers are leased to licensed outfitters, and rare fish need special permits. Check current travel advisories and go with a licensed outfitter.
Conservation: Dams and poaching hurt wild sterlet. Release every one.

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Sources & photo credits