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 1.3 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.