Attention Anglers: The Northern Pikeminnow Management Program Sport-Reward Fishery 2024 season has ended. Thanks for an amazing year!

Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program

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How To Catch A Northern Pikeminnow

Where To Fish

Image of Northern Pikeminnow fisherman on boat in the Columbia River

An angler in a boat fishing in the river, 2016. Photo by Isaac Lane Koval.

You can catch Northern Pikeminnow almost anywhere on the Columbia River. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast current near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Most fish are caught in 7 to 25 feet of water.

Northern Pikeminnow feed heavily on smolts, freshwater clams, and crayfish. They move to find concentrations of prey. Finding Northern Pikeminnow may not be easy. After fishing an area for 30 minutes to an hour without good results, try somewhere upstream or downstream.

When To Fish

Image of Northern Pikeminnow fisherman on boat in the Columbia River.

An angler in a boat on the river at dusk, 2016. Photo by Isaac Lane Koval.

Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. Studies show there are greater concentrations of Northern Pikeminnow in shallow water during low-light conditions.

Video Tutorials

Contact Us

Pikeminnow Hotline

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
800-858-9015 Toll Free
360-906-6707
pikeminnow@dfw.wa.gov

Reward Voucher Information Line

800-769-9362 Toll Free
503-595-3297
vouchers@pikeminnow.org

Bonneville Power Administration 
Fish & Wildlife Department

503-230-3862
800-622-4520 Visitor Center

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A FISHERIES DATA PROJECT OF
THE PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION