Sturgeon retention closes in John Day Pool effective March 19 CLACKAMAS, Ore. â Sturgeon retention fishing will close in the John Day Pool of the Columbia River (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam) as of 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 18. The decision was made by fishery managers from Oregon and Washington after reviewing catch data that confirms the 105 fish guideline will likely be met later this week on Thursday. Retention sturgeon fishing closed in Bonneville and The Dalles pools in January. Retention sturgeon fishing is closed below Bonneville Dam and below Willamette Falls under permanent sport fishing regulations. Except for specific sanctuaries, catch-and-release sturgeon fishing remains open in all of these waters, even when retention seasons are closed.