120-Year-Old Giant Sturgeon ‘Ghost’ Caught and Released in Canada

A remarkable event took place on July 7, 2025, in British Columbia, Canada, when a massive and rare fish named "Ghost" was finally caught and released in the Fraser River. This white sturgeon, which is believed to be more than 120 years old, is one of the biggest freshwater fish in the world.

Ghost was caught by a team from River Monster Adventures, a professional fishing group based in Chilliwack that focuses on finding and tagging large sturgeon. For many years, they had seen signs of Ghost through sonar images and brief surface appearances but had never been able to catch it—until now.

A Moment Years in the Making

According to Jen Shareski from River Monster Adventures, Ghost had remained a mystery for a long time.

"Over the years, we believe we've caught glimpses of him, either on our sonar or possibly breaching, but actual sightings have been extremely rare,"

The fish earned its name “Ghost” because it always managed to avoid being seen or caught. For years, anglers in the region spoke about it like a legend. Some saw flashes of its massive body on sonar; others saw it leap from the water far away—but no one had proof.

The Big Day – Catching Ghost

On Monday morning, everything changed. A group of four people, including two regular customers, the boat captain, and a deckhand, were out on the river when they hooked something massive.

“It was like, ‘Holy, we have the opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t mess this up,’” said Jeff Grimolfson, owner of the company. “Panic set in when we realized what we had.”

It took more than an hour of hard work, teamwork, and caution to bring the huge fish near the boat. Even though the fish weighed hundreds of pounds, the crew stayed calm and followed safety and conservation rules. Everyone knew this was not an ordinary fish.

Ghost measured 10 feet and 2 inches (about 3.1 meters) long. Its curved dorsal fins, a feature that comes with age, helped the crew identify it. Surprisingly, even after living more than a century, Ghost had never been tagged—a clear sign that no one had caught it before.

Tagging and Releasing for Conservation

After taking careful measurements and photos, the team placed a special conservation tag on Ghost. These tags help scientists track sturgeon over time and learn how they live, grow, and move through the rivers.

The crew then safely released Ghost back into the Fraser River, showing their deep respect for the fish and nature.

“We are strictly catch and release,” said Shareski. “We’re proud to be part of the sturgeon conservation tagging program.”

This program is very important because it helps protect sturgeon, which are at risk due to past overfishing and loss of their natural river habitats.

What Are White Sturgeon?

White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America and among the oldest species on Earth. They can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weigh more than 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds). Some have lived for more than 150 years.

They are sometimes called "living dinosaurs" because they have existed since the time of the dinosaurs and haven’t changed much in millions of years. But sadly, their numbers have dropped in many places due to pollution, dams, and overfishing.

Why Ghost’s Story Matters

Catching Ghost isn’t just about catching a big fish. It’s about celebrating the beauty of nature, the importance of conservation, and the value of patience and teamwork.

Ghost now joins the ranks of other legendary sturgeons like "Pig Nose", another massive fish caught by the same company in 2016. Pig Nose became famous for a scar on its snout and was spotted again in later years. These stories give hope and excitement to nature lovers, fishermen, and conservationists around the world.

Protecting the Giants of the River

The Canadian government, along with conservation groups, has created strict rules for sturgeon fishing. Catch-and-release fishing is now required, and tagging efforts like the one used on Ghost are helping track the health of the population.

White sturgeon are listed as a species at risk, meaning they could face extinction if not protected. Every tagged fish helps researchers understand how to save them.

“It’s a reminder of how ancient and precious these creatures are,” said Grimolfson. “It’s not just about fishing, it’s about protecting something truly irreplaceable.”

The capture and release of Ghost is a reminder of what makes nature so powerful and inspiring. In a world where many animal species are disappearing, seeing a 120-year-old fish alive and healthy gives us hope.

Thanks to conservation efforts and responsible tourism by groups like River Monster Adventures, fish like Ghost can continue swimming in the wild for many years to come.

This story teaches us to respect nature, protect endangered species, and keep our rivers clean and safe for future generations.