Need cash? Fishing reward raised for pikeminnow in Columbia and Snake rivers

The bounty paid for northern pikeminnow caught in the Columbia and Snake rivers is being raised just as the catch is at its peak.

The Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward program will raise the amount paid per fish to $10, up from a range of $5 to $8, starting Saturday, Sept. 19.

In addition, anglers who catch one of the specially tagged northern pikeminnow will be paid $1,000, rather than the $500 paid earlier in the season.

The season has been extended from the end of September to Oct. 11 to make up for the late start. The start of the annual reward program was delayed this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The number of anglers participating in the program is down 28% from last year, according to the Bonneville Power Administration, which funds the program.

Just 88,000 northern pikeminnow have been turned in so far this year, although the best time to catch the fish is late summer to early fall.

Last year about 146,000 pikeminnow were caught and the annual average for the past 29 years was about 174,000 fish.

The program aims to reduce the population of large northern pikeminnow, which eat the majority of young salmon and steelhead that are lost to predators, said Eric McOmie, a BPA program manager.

Anglers must register for the program each day at one of 18 pikeminnow stations, including ones at Columbia Point Park in Richland, Lyons Ferry, the Umatilla Boat ramp and the Vernita Bridge rest area. Fishing licenses also are required.

Pikeminnow must be at least 9 inches long.

Last year the top fisherman in the program caught 6,482 northern pikeminnow and earned about $53,000.

For tips on catching pikeminnow, go to pikeminnow.org or call 800-858-9015.