A nearly 12-foot white sturgeon estimated at 1,100–1,200 pounds was landed near Chilliwack on June 4, then tagged and released by guide company Sturgeon Slayers. The fish measured 11 ft 8.2 in with a 60-inch girth, surpassing a 2021 record specimen. Founder Kevin Estrada said the catch demonstrates that conservation, responsible angling and scientific collaboration are helping the species rebound; Estrada received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for his conservation work.
Nearly 12-Foot, 1,100-Pound White Sturgeon Tagged and Released Near Chilliwack — A Win for Conservation
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A massive white sturgeon pulled from British Columbia's Fraser River has captured attention for its size — and for what the catch suggests about successful conservation efforts. The fish, landed near Chilliwack on June 4, was measured, tagged and released by guide company Sturgeon Slayers.
According to Peace Arch News, the sturgeon was estimated to weigh between 1,100 and 1,200 pounds, measured 11 feet 8.2 inches in length and had a 60-inch girth. Like a previous record fish the company documented, this individual had not been recorded before and was released back into the river after tagging for scientific monitoring.
Sturgeon Slayers founder Kevin Estrada said the catch exceeded a 2021 white sturgeon his team recorded, which measured 11 feet 6.5 inches with a 55-inch girth. He emphasized that the significance goes beyond company records.
"The significance of both these record-setting fish is that conservation works. These fish are getting bigger and the fact that both had not been caught and tagged before is incredible," Estrada said.
"This latest fish is far more than a record. It demonstrates what happens when conservation, responsible angling, scientific collaboration and public awareness come together to protect a species that has survived for millions of years," he added.
White sturgeon are among North America's longest-lived and largest freshwater fish: individuals can live more than 100 years and attain enormous sizes. Estrada, who received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for his sturgeon conservation work, framed the discovery as a reminder of collective stewardship.
"It's a reminder that there are giants swimming in the Fraser River and it's our responsibility to ensure future generations have an opportunity to witness and protect them," Estrada said. "We don't own the river. We steward it. Every fish we catch is treated as a living record, not a trophy."
The tagged-and-released practice helps researchers track growth, movement and population health over time. The catch near Chilliwack offers a hopeful signal that targeted conservation measures, responsible angling practices and collaboration between guides and scientists can contribute to species recovery.
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