Years again I was gifted a sturgeon fishing trip on the Fraser and I still feel bad thinking about it. In hindsight knowing how much we stressed and probably harmed that animal. What a cruel way to entertain ourselves.
I accidentally caught 1 smaller (~meter length) sturgeon while fishing for the very tasty walleye (fish). I certainly enjoyed the "fight" in which the fish was suffering and it didn't really occur to me at the time. But I did return it to the water quickly.