Angler Earns $100,000 in 5 Months for Catching Pikeminnows

Bounty packages to take care of problematic species of fish are common methods for states to take away sure forms of fish that threaten the native species. I’m certain there are a number of in your state should you care to do some digging into which fish the Wildlife and Fisheries Division deems a menace. Whereas these packages are supposed to function motivation for harvesting the focused troublesome fish, some may be was full-time pay.

Based on the Bonneville Energy Administration, which is accountable for funding this system, there was a $100,000 payout to the highest harvester of Pikeminnow through the 2023 season. The season stretches from Might 1 to September 30 and through these 5 months, the highest angler introduced in over 10,000 Pikminnows which landed him the large payout. That is solely the third time in over 30 years {that a} payout of $100,000 has been achieved. 

The Northern Pikeminnow Sport-reward Program has been in existence for over 30 years and was enacted by the Washington Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Division of Fish and Wildlife. It was designed to cut back the inhabitants of northern pikeminnow within the Columbia and Snake River basins within the Pacific Northwest. 

The Northern Pikeminnow are recognized to be vital predators of juvenile salmon and steelhead, that are extremely prized by fishermen in Washington and Oregon.

Eric Winther, with the Washington Division of Fish and Wildlife, mentioned the general participation for this yr was 11,954 which is probably the most seen in three years and almost 1,400 greater than final yr’s lowest-ever effort of 10,561.

The second-best angler earned $98,510 for 9,786 fish, virtually breaking the $100,000 mark.

Anglers that take part in this system can earn $6, $8 or $10 for every Pikeminnow they catch, nevertheless, there’s one caveat: the fish needs to be over 9 inches lengthy. Additionally, the system pays out more cash when quite a few fish are turned in so the extra fish the angler brings in, the more cash he receives for every fish. As well as, there’s a reward for individuals who catch tagged fish. $500 is the payout for catching a tagged fish and $200 for every internally tagged fish that’s introduced in. 

Particulars on methods to register for this system and relevant state fishing rules can be found on this system web site. Anglers will discover sources on the positioning, together with maps, how-to movies, and free fishing clinics, to assist increase their fishing recreation.

For extra details about the 2023 Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery go to www.pikeminnow.org, or name 800-858-9015.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award successful out of doors journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s LouisianaNorthshore.com and Louisiana Northshore Discover Journal. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Out of doors Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery.