#1 Predator Pike-Minnow = $$$$$$
I was just watching a show on Angler West television that was all about catching pike-minnows on the Columbia River. It has been proven that the pike-minnow is the number #1 predator of salmon and steelhead smolt in the Columbia River. And yes, they do have striped bass there too. But, the biggest culprit is the pike-minnow aka. squawfish, hardhead, etc. all native fish to the area.
What really got my attention was a program that the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho have had in existence for 25 years to help curb the population of these predators.
Any caught pike-minnow over 9" is worth $5.00 or more depending on the number caught. They must be brought to a collection spot live or fresh dead so most guys fishing for them throw them in a cooler with ice.
The goal of the fisheries department running the program is to reduce the pike-minnow population by at least 10% per year. Last year 175,000 pike-minnow were removed from the Columbia River which has aided considerably in a healthier growth of salmon and steelhead in the system.
It also provided income for local fishermen to which one person earned over $99,000 by removing these predators. And this program has been going on for twenty-five years !!!
There used to be a similar short lived program like this on the Russian River a few years back. It was managed by the Ukiah Rod & Gun Club and Long's Drug Stores at that time. Eventually without state or federal support it died and the pike-minnow/ squawfish have taken hold again.
Along with the drought and lack of water, this is our number one predator, along with our governor and any number of other water grabbing agencies trying to turn the desert into farmland.
Tony
TONY BUZOLICH
Feather River Fly
Yuba City, CA.
(530) 790-7180
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