Deep Hooking Rates of Inline/Offset Circle and J-Hooks Fished Actively and Passively for White Sturgeon in Hells Canyon, Idaho

White Sturgeon (WS) populations in Idaho have stabilized in the last few decades after catch-and-release regulations were implemented to protect the popular fishery. Recently, however, managers were concerned that effects from the fishery (i.e. deep hooking) could be causing harm to the population and whether a management change requiring the use of circle hooks should be considered. We conducted an angling study comparing the deep hooking rates of circle and J-hooks (shape) with different alignments (inline/offset) fished both actively and passively, the method recommended by circle hook manufacturers for greatest effectiveness. Of the 508 WS landed, only three were deep hooked (0.6%), whereas 459 (90%) were hooked in the lip. Twenty eight WS were lost during landing due to line breakage and 35 came unhooked. Our research suggests that deep hooking rates are very low regardless of hook shape, alignment or fishing method and not likely negatively affecting the WS population.