Question about Pikeminnows...

[jcft2007]

Hi guys and gals!!

I have a question:

Is there a certain season to fish (catch/kill too) for the northern pikeminnow??

I understand you can use the same tackle as for bass...

Also can they be fished from the bank (i.e. Columbia River) ??

At about four bucks a fish, seems like one can pay for a day of fishing. Boy, that sounds "fun"!!

Any ifno would help, THANKS

Joel

[tnj8222]

im sure there is a better way to catch them then by using bass gear. you usually catch a few bass with a minnow thrown in. not catch some minnows with a bass thrown in lol.. im sure there is a better way to fish for them. not sure how though. but i was thinking the same thing. could start a new business if you can catch enough.

[1bigfish]

Try looking at this website...
http://www.pikeminnow.org/rules.html

It not only has all the rules but also some tips on how to fish for them. I catch them all the time when fishing for bass in Salem, but since I can't get the $$$$ for the ones I get here I simply use them for crab bait.

Hope this helps.

[bpm2000]

I think bait is more effective than bass gear for pikeminnows. I do catch a few on spinnerbaits though! (I hate the big ones - makes you think you got a nice bass on then.. ugh)

[fishsauce]

I floated the Tualatin River around Nyberg Road a couple of years back hoping to get into bass. Caught maybe two bass but couldn't keep the pikeminnows off a silver rapala. Let's just say the birds had an easy meal that day.

[tnj8222]

I think bait is more effective than bass gear for pikeminnows. I do catch a few on spinnerbaits though! (I hate the big ones - makes you think you got a nice bass on then.. ugh)

last summer me and tangledline69 were fishing with james smiley on the columbia. i foul hooked a big sucker fish in the belly we all were hoping it was a big smallie. boy were we disapointed lol

[bpm2000]

haha that sucks - not only not a bass but a foul hook too.

[ODSKid]

Yeah, I've gone fishing for Pikeminnows. Made about 50 bucks total one summer. I only went out about 6 times or so. The best way to catch them is to find a place where they hold (eddies, around pilings, basically around where bass live), and use bait. I always used worms, but the downside is you usually catch just about everything else in the river, too.
I have heard a rumor that shrimp actually works for them too, but I have never tried it.

[gordy]

Our couch in the living room was payed for with my pikeminnow checks..750 bucks. That waws a few years ago but I still go out a few times a year and have a good time.
I really think the season should start later and end later...At the end of the season the water has warmed up enough that the fish get active and aggressive..will even hit top water plugs and streamers...
Use trout gear rather than bass stuff...think of them more like perch when rigging.

[Chris61182]

As for catching them on bass gear I'd say that's a definite yes! I was out on the Willamette in Corvallis this morning and caught a few, one was even pushing 3lbs. All caught on a silver lipless crankbait I was tossing for bass.