I smell something... Fishy.

FishOutOfWater · #1 10-18-2023, 04:47 AM

How does one person catch 10,000 fish that are 9" or longer, in 152 days ? Let alone two people doing it... Forget Bass tournaments, Pikeminnow is the ticket

They made $100,000 each for catching 20,000 combined. My first inclination was they have ponds somewhere stocked with them.

I like the concept, but unlike animals with bounties like coyotes or wolves that are difficult to cheat the system - fish are easy to farm or keep in a small body of water.

It's based in the Columbia River Basin, Washington State.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/conse...ng-pikeminnow/

Quote:

One angler finished the 2023 Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program with plenty of dough in their bank account. According to catch data, the top angler in the program caught and removed 10,127 pikeminnow, earning $101,520 in bounties. The next best angler nearly reached six figures, earning $98,510 for 9,786 fish.

58thecat · #2 10-18-2023, 06:34 AM

Sounds like a good program, imagine being retired and this is your side gig

Alberta should implement this program with the so called bad cutthroat trout we have

Catch, eat and take the cash to the bank

FishOutOfWater · #3 10-18-2023, 01:23 PM

But seriously... You'd have to catch 65 fish (keepers over 9") a day, every day with no breaks, for 5 months (150 days) straight.

Hard to believe, if the "angler" claims it was done without a net of some sort...

Something in my gut screams "bulls**t".

TROLLER · #4 10-18-2023, 01:27 PM

Every year there is a derby on Flathead Lake in Mt. for lakers They refer to them as Makinaws and they are considered invasive fish

The catch results are posted every day during the tourny and the daily limit on that lake for Lakers is 100 per day yes 100 and several fisherman manage to catch their daily limit during the tourny.

So it is possible for sure to have out standing days on the water.

I have been several times over the yrs with a good friend when the limit was 50 and we would limit out most days. Limit is for under 30 inches and between 31 and 34 had to be released but with in the 50 limit you were allowed 3 over 34 inches. An amazing lake for sure.

FishOutOfWater · #5 10-18-2023, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROLLER

So it is possible for sure to have outstanding days on the water.

That's my point... 150 "outstanding" days ? In a row ?

Or at least 100 days of the 150... Still doesn't seem plausible.

Lornce · #6 10-18-2023, 06:08 PM

I've caught 80 Pikeminnows in a day without trying. Wish the program would start in BC. Would be a great retirement gig.

kouleerunner · #7 10-18-2023, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishOutOfWater

How does one person catch 10,000 fish that are 9" or longer, in 152 days ? Let alone two people doing it... Forget Bass tournaments, Pikeminnow is the ticket

They made $100,000 each for catching 20,000 combined. My first inclination was they have ponds somewhere stocked with them.

I like the concept, but unlike animals with bounties like coyotes or wolves that are difficult to cheat the system - fish are easy to farm or keep in a small body of water.

It's based in the Columbia River Basin, Washington State.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/conse...ng-pikeminnow/

Have you ever been to the Columbia River and fished for pike minnow?

Smoky buck · #8 10-18-2023, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lornce

I've caught 80 Pikeminnows in a day without trying. Wish the program would start in BC. Would be a great retirement gig.

As have I many times some BC lakes are loaded with them and they are definitely not hard to catch during warm months

We never counted them but as kids a buddy and I filled the bottom of a 14 ft canoe 8-12inch deep with pike minnows for his grandmother’s garden

FishOutOfWater · #9 10-19-2023, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kouleerunner

Have you ever been to the Columbia River and fished for pike minnow?

No I have not... Yourself ?

kouleerunner · #10 10-19-2023, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishOutOfWater

No I have not... Yourself ?

Several times, planning to be there again in the coming months. I have good friends who live in Pasco.

I think it would be prudent to reconsider questioning an article and the authenticity and ability to attain what has been reported when one has not been to the area in question or partook in the activity in question, wouldn't you agree?

Bushrat · #11 10-19-2023, 10:50 PM

How do they fish them? Bet a mackeral rig would bring up 5 or more at a time.

Lornce · #12 10-20-2023, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushrat

How do they fish them? Bet a mackeral rig would bring up 5 or more at a time.

I tend to use a fly rod, indicator, and nymph setup, but they are easy to catch and eager to grab anything they can. A small spinner or spoon or bobber and bait works where bait is legal. No fussy fish and a nuisance if you are targeting trout or Kokanee. Great fish for kids as they are eager to play.

Mumbles · #13 10-20-2023, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishOutOfWater

That's my point... 150 "outstanding" days ? In a row ?

Or at least 100 days of the 150... Still doesn't seem plausible.

Entirely plausible…
It would be quite easy to do if one was retired.
They absolutely pollute some water bodies in BC and the Pacific Northwest.

Talking moose · #14 11-04-2023, 03:53 AM

Moved to bc 3 years ago. Never even heard of sqaw fish before.
Now they are the bane to my existence.
100% doable.
One time at a lake between Prince George and McKenzie I found a lake and huge school of them. Caught about 60 in an hour. If not more than 60.
Never even touched the reel.
Had about 7 or 8 feet of line out and I’d just lob it in the pool and instantly get a hook up….. lift it into my waiting hand, quick yank to get hook out and repeat. Fish a minute easy.
Now I hate em.
If I ever pull in there again it will be with a shotgun.