A nugget from The Daily Morning Astorian, March 27, 1885:

The old sturgeon man from Sauvie Island was in town yesterday … and from him was learned some interesting particulars concerning the sturgeon trap put in the outlet of Big Sturgeon Lake last year. 

“It was just a regular dog-goned failure as far as catching sturgeon goes,” said he. “Those fish climbed out at the corners by means of the sharp bony spurs on their sides, just as fast as boys could shin up the piles. 

“After a time, the leaves and flags filled up the opening between the piles, and the trap became a great corral for suckers. When the sturgeon found this out, they would go in and eat their fill of the suckers, and then crawl out. 

“I have had lots of fun watching them on moonlight nights. They appear to enjoy the sport, and would be glad if someone would put in more traps for their amusement.” 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has a few facts about white sturgeon, which are the largest freshwater species in North America, and can reach over 20 feet, but rarely make it past 10 feet. They can live more than 100 years, and don’t mature until they are 25.  

And, an interesting tidbit: Even though they are predominant in a freshwater environment, they’ve been known to take “extensive ocean travels inside the 50-fathom line.” (Image: Adapted from a National Maritime Historical Society photo)