Northern Pikeminnow - Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program

Northern Pikeminnow, also known as Northern Squawfish, is a native species, a member of the Minnow family that can be found in the Pacific Northwest.

This fish is easily identifiable by its long snout, as well as the fact that it has a large mouth and a dark green and silver body. Pikeminnow preys heavily on juvenile salmon and steelheads.

Difference Between Pikeminnow and Peamouth?

Pikeminnow is often confused with peamouth, but the two are completely different species.

A pikeminnow's head is flatter (mainly between the eyes), while the peamouth's head is rounder. Pikeminnow's snout is longer and larger than peamouth, and its large wide mouth ends at the eye. It has no barbels at the mouth. Distinguishing between the two fish is important. Note that peamouth poses no threat to the ecosystem or any other fish.

When fishing for pikeminnow, using bait, especially worms, is a very common way to catch these fish. You need to make sure that your weights weigh approximately one to two ounces. Make sure you use the right size hooks. Number two hooks are a good choice and bank sinkers, as well as swivels, are very helpful.

Though worms are the most successful type of bait, chicken livers have also had some success. There are a number of other baits including fish entrails, grasshoppers, shrimp, and salmon eggs.

Soft plastic grubs can also be used as bait. The bait you are using should be between 3 and 6 inches. Try using different colors every 15 minutes, depending on what type of results you are getting.

There is evidence that during the night this fish is attracted by purple, glittering plastic grubs (often with green glitter). Black glitter and orange/brown color bodies are also very helpful. During the day, it is most helpful to try light colors, as well as grubs with glitter.

There is no fishing limit on the size and number of pikeminnow you can catch.

Plunking is a good method as well. It entails using enough weight to prevent the bait from moving too far away.

Back-bouncing is another method and entails lifting the bait off of the bottom by occasionally raising the rod tip. This is helpful when fishing from a boat. Drift fishing can also be used.

How to Use Northern Pikeminnow?

Pikeminnow or squawfish is rich in protein, has a lean tasty flesh but a complicated bone structure. The best way to cook is pickling or smoking younger smaller fish. Because it is a resident species, bigger and older fish accumulate more contaminants (PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, and mercury) than younger ones.

One of the main reasons anglers target pikeminnow in Oregon and Washington is the Sport Reward Program. Funded by the Bonneville Power Administration and administered by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the program pays anglers on a per-fish basis for pikeminnow longer than nine inches.

The program typically runs from May through August and focuses on the lower Columbia and Snake rivers in Oregon and Washington.

Pikeminnow are major predators of juvenile salmon and steelhead, significantly reducing the number of salmonids that reach the ocean. This predation has contributed to declining salmon and steelhead populations.

The goal of the reward program is to restore a natural balance between pikeminnow and juvenile salmonids. Since the program began, predation on young salmon and steelhead has been reduced by approximately 40%.

The program also offers substantial earning potential. In 2016, the top twenty anglers averaged $36,000 for the season, with the highest earner receiving $119,341.

In 2016, anglers were paid on a tiered system. The first 25 pikeminnow earned $5 per fish, fish numbers 26 through 200 paid $6 each, and catches exceeding 200 fish earned $8 per fish. Specially tagged pikeminnow were worth $500 each. Payment rates were subject to change.