Pikeminnow Hotline: 1-800-858-9015 (Toll free) or 906-6707 (Vancouver, WA) Voucher Hotline: The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is administering the overall Northern Pikeminnow Management Program. For reward voucher payment questions, call: (503) 595-3100 in Portland or toll free (800) 769-9362. Send vouchers to: 205 SE Spokane Street, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97202 Please Visit : Northern Pikeminnow Fishery Sport Reward Program

How can you do your part to save the salmon and earn money at the same time? You can help by taking part in the BPA-funded Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery, part of the Northern Pikeminnow Management Program.

Researchers believe that by reducing the number of northern pikeminnow in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, survival of salmon and steelhead can be increased. We are trying to restructure the northern pikeminnow population towards the more historic numbers and age class ratios that existed prior to the installation of Columbia River dams. This in turn should reduce their predation on young salmon.

Results indicate that the program is successful. Since 1990, over 2.9 million northern pikeminnow have been removed from the Snake and Columbia rivers as a result of the sport reward program. We estimate that predation on juvenile salmonids has been cut by 25 percent.

The northern pikeminnow is a large member of the minnow family. It has a long snout and large mouth. It is dusky green above and silvery-brown below. It is similar in shape to the walleye but a northern pikeminnow doesn't have the walleye's spiny dorsal fin and white tipped tail. Unlike walleye, northern pikeminnow are native to the Columbia River system.

Why is BPA funding this program? The 1980 Pacific Northwest Power Act directs the Bonneville Power Administration to fund work to improve salmon runs harmed by federal hydroelectric dams. Development of the hydrosystem has made young salmon more vulnerable to predators, including northern pikeminnow, by slowing the flow of the river and concentrating young salmon at dams. In addition, young salmon pass dams through conduits around dam turbines, over spillways or through the turbines. This disorients and injures them, making them easy prey for northern pikeminnow

The sport-reward season generally runs from May through September. To participate, anglers must register at stations located along the Columbia and Snake River system. The specific location of the stations and program rules are published and announced prior to the season each year. For every northern pikeminnow 9 inches or longer returned to the registration station, anglers receive a voucher for payment. The more fish an angler catches, the more they're worth. During the 2007 season the first 100 in one season are worth $4 each; 101-400 fish are worth $5 each and 401 and above are worth $8 each. Specially tagged northern pikeminnow are worth $500 each.

Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery 2007 Registration Stations -
The rewards are as follows for fish caught for the 2007 season: The first 100 fish: $4.00 per fish 101-400 fish: $5.00 per fish Over 400 fish: $8.00 per fish Tagged fish: $500.00 per tagged fish* * Tags must be verified as Pikeminnow Program Tags by Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to receive the $500.00 reward.
Click map for enlargement
Cathlamet Marina (Washington, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM) I-5 North or Southbound, take Longview/Long Beach exit 36 (Hwy 432-West). Continue on Hwy 432 to Hwy 4 West (Ocean Beach Hwy). Turn left and continue approximately 20 miles to Cathlamet. Take the second left at Cathlamet (Chester St.), then turn right onto 3rd St., and continue to Marina. Launch/Park fee is $5.00. Willow Grove Boat Ramp (Washington, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM) From Longview, travel west on Ocean Beach Highway (Hwy 4) to the stop light (Coal Creek Road to the right, and Willow Grove Connection to the left), turn left and go almost 1 mile to Willow Grove Road, right on Willow Grove Road for approximately 3 miles to the park. Launch/Park fee is $3.00. Rainier Marina (Oregon, 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM) Hwy 30 East or Westbound, Turn Northbound (towards the Columbia River) on Third Street and follow down the hill to the Marina. Launch fee is $2.00. Kalama Marina (Washington, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM) From the I-5 northbound to Kalama, take exit 27 (Todd Road), turn left at Robb Road and go under the I-5 overpass, right on Hendrickson Drive and continue about 2 miles to Marina. Southbound to Kalama, take Exit 30, right on Oak Street, and then right on Hendrickson Drive, and continue about 1 mile to Marina. Station is located at the south end of the Port of Kalama Parking lot. No launch fee. M. James Gleason Boat Ramp (Oregon, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM) I-5 North or Southbound take Marine Drive exit. Head East on Marine Drive for approximately 3 miles. Boat ramp is located on the North side of the road. I-205 North or Southbound take Airport Way exit. Head East Airport Way. Head North (left turn) on 122nd to Marine Drive. Head West (turn left) on Marine Drive for 5 miles. Launch/Park fee is $5.00. Chinook Landing (Oregon, 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM) I-84 Eastbound or Westbound, take exit 17 to Marine Drive. Turn West on Marine Drive. Go approximately 2 miles. The facility is clearly marked with signs. Launch/Park fee is $5.00.	Washougal Boat Ramp/Port of Camas (Washington, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM) Take Hwy 14 Eastbound or Westbound to Camas/Washougal. Turn towards the Columbia River on 2nd Ave. Then take quick right on Front Street. Head towards the Park, which is located behind and to the left of the Marina sign. Launch/Park fee is $6.00. Cascade Locks (Oregon, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM) Traveling east: I-84 east, take exit 42 to Cascade Locks, then easterly (right) at the stop sign. Look for the marine park signs on your left. Turn left, go under the railroad bridge and follow the signs to the boat ramp. Traveling west: I-84 west, take exit 44 to Cascade Locks. Look for the marine park signs on your right. Turn right, go under the railroad bridge and follow the signs to the boat ramp. Bingen Marina (Washington, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM) In Bingen on SR 14 turn at ‘Bingen Marina’ sign; follow road past saw mill to marina. The Dalles Boat Basin (Oregon, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM) I-84 East or Westbound take City Center exit 85. Go north to the boat basin entrance, and then turn left towards boat launch. No launch fee. Giles French (Oregon, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM) I-84 East or Westbound take exit 109 at Rufus, OR. Turn north, go over the railroad tracks and follow road East 1/2 mile, then turn north towards river. No launch fee. Umatilla (Oregon, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) From Tri-Cities: Follow I-82 south to the Umatilla exit (first exit in Oregon). After exiting, go right (west) on Hwy 730. Take the first right (Brownell St); on Brownell travel to 3rd St. Go left on 3rd St. to Quincy; go right on Quincy to Umatilla marina boat launch. From points west of Umatilla: Follow Highway 730 east through Umatilla to Brownell St. intersection; go left and follow above directions to the Umatilla Marina Boat Launch. Columbia Point Park (Washington, 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM) From I-82 or I-182, take the George Washington Way exit north to Columbia Point Drive. Turn right and continue to boat launch area. No launch fee.	Vernita Bridge Rest Area (Washington, 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM) From I-82 in Richland: Take State Hwy 240 North toward Vantage. Registration Station is approximately 40 miles. From Yakima: Take Highway 24 east to the intersection with Highway 240. Turn left (North) on to Highway 240. Registration station is about 4 miles on your left. No launch fee, rough ramps that require 4X4. Lyon's Ferry (Washington, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM) Located on the "Snake River" at the Lyon’s Ferry Marina. From Pasco, take Hwy 395 north to Connell. From Connell take State Route 260 east to Kahlotus. Continue east on 260 about 7 miles and turn right on State Rt. 261. Follow St. 261 to the Snake River. Cross the Snake River and take the first right into the marina. The Lyon’s Ferry Marina is well marked and visible on the South Side of the Snake River. Launch fee is $4.00. Boyer Park (Washington, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM) Located on the north shore of the “Snake River” immediately below Lower Granite Dam. *Note, there is currently no public crossing of Lower Granite Dam. From Colfax: Take Highway 195 south out of Colfax to Pullman. Go west on State Rt. 194 and follow 194 (paying attention to road signs for Boyer Park) to the Snake River and Boyer Park. From Lewiston: Take Highway 195 North to Pullman. Go west on State Rt. 194 and follow 194 (paying attention to road signs for Boyer Park) to the Snake River and Boyer Park. The park and boat launch are well marked with signs. Launch fee is $4.00. Greenbelt (Washington, 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM) From Walla Walla: Take Hwy 12 from Waitsburg to Clarkston. Turn left on 5th Street. Go to Fair Street, turn right and follow signs to the boat ramp parking lot. From Lewiston, ID: Take Hwy 12 over the Blue Bridge. Stay in the right lane and take the next exit. Follow this road around and into the boat ramp parking lot. Launch fee is $4.00.

2007 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery Rules and Regulations

Anglers participating in the Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery must adhere to each of the following rules:

1) Present a valid fishing license and picture identification upon request by any authorized program representative.

2) Adhere to all applicable state fishing regulations for the area in which you fish. Contact your local state fishery agency for license requirements and current fishing regulations.

3) Register in person at one of the designated registration stations each day prior to fishing. Anglers may register during times when stations are unstaffed, by using the station's self-registration box. Anglers may not register at multiple stations on the same day.

4) Provide true and accurate information to authorized program representatives regarding the taking, possession, delivery, transportation, sale, transfer, or any other use of fish caught while participating in the Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery Program.

5) Comply with the directions of authorized program personnel related to the collection of sampling data and angler participation in the Sport-Reward Fishery.

6) Mail in all reward vouchers within 30 days from the end of each year's fishery. To obtain payment, vouchers must be received no later than November 15th for each year's fishery. Any issues preventing payment (missing information, voiding of voucher for program violations, etc.) must be resolved by November 15 for each year's fishery or the voucher becomes null and void.

7) Fish must have been caught in the mainstem Columbia River from the mouth up to the restricted zone below Priest Rapids Dam, or in the Snake River from the mouth up to the restricted zone below Hell's Canyon Dam. The "mainstem" includes backwaters, sloughs, and up tributaries 400 feet from the tributary mouths. "Tributary mouth" is as defined by state Fishing Regulations.

8) Fish must be returned to the same registration station where the angler registered, on the same calendar day stamped on the registration form. They must be returned before the station closes for the day stamped on the registration form and the fish must have been caught subsequent to that day's registration.

9) Fish must have a total length greater than or equal to 9 inches. Fish less than 9 inches total length are not eligible for reward payment.

10) All fish to be redeemed for reward payment must have been personally caught solely by the angler submitting them for reward payment.

11) Fish must be alive or in fresh condition. Fish that are or were frozen, or that are in otherwise poor condition will not be accepted for payment. Technicians have the authority to determine whether northern pikeminnow submitted meet these standards.

12) Violation of any of the above rules may result in disqualification from the Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery Program.

2007 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery Catch / Effort Summary