Rising Rivers Trap Sturgeon In Bypass

WOODLAND, Calif. (CBS13) -- Receding flood waters have stranded dozens of sturgeon in the Yolo County flood plains, and wildlife officials have been working to bring them back to the main river before nature or poachers finish them off.

Heavy rainfall over the past month caused the Sacramento River to spill into Yolo County Bypass, bringing dozens of the giant fish with it.

By Tuesday, the water levels had receded to the point that the sturgeon couldn't get back over the Fremont Weir.

"They're trapped, they can't turn around to go back," said Fish & Game warden Liz Gregory.

The giant fish, some as big as 250 pounds, did their best to elude Fish & Game officials, but rescuers lifted more than 30 fish over the weir and back into the river Tuesday.

The longer the fish are trapped in the plains, the more likely they are to die, either from rising water temperatures or human predators. Wardens found a protected green sturgeon dead from a spear through its side and another one injured, but alive.

"If you're trying to poach, it's the easiest way to poach them," Gregory said.

Officials have been patrolling the water way until they determine there are no more trapped sturgeon and do force anyone who doesn't belong there to leave.

Some of the rescued sturgeon have been tagged with transmitters to make sure they safely make it to the spawning grounds in the north.