YellowBear
Advanced Poster
Posts:297
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| 28 Dec 2011 10:25 AM |
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The Pend Orellie River in the North east corner of Washington State has become a Pike hot spot.
Some folks want to manage this water for trouphy Pike while others want them gone.
As the Pend Orellie flows into the Columbia, I was wondering how our neighbors in Oregon feel about this.
There have allready been some Pike caught in lake Roosevelt and should they get into the Columbia Basin irrigation project they will be able to get in the Snake. There seems to be little concern for those of us that live down stream.
There is a ongoing discussion at washingtonlakes.com,
Thanks for your time. |
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Captain Quantum
Veteran Poster
Posts:1399
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| 29 Dec 2011 01:42 AM |
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Hey YellowBear! Been a long time since I've seen you on here! That being said, I did a little reading on the subject before I decided to post as I live in this area same as you and wanted to be informed. Obviously, Pike coming into the Columbia River system would not be a good thing. They are very active predators and they feed on bass, yellow perch, trout, etc. Pretty much all fish! And if they were to grow in large numbers they could literally decimate existing game fish populations. I read that us anglers will be an integral fighting force when it comes to stopping these non native predators. The Department of Fish and Game wants anglers to catch and keep as many Pike as possible and are even considering allowing anglers on the Pend Orielle River to use TWO poles at once to increase the chances of catching them. I have only caught one pike my whole life and I think they are a cool fish and I like them and hope to catch more in the future but as for them existing in these river systems I am obviously against it. I say kill em' all!  |
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mo65
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Posts:1576
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| 29 Dec 2011 04:02 AM |
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Pike have co-existed with all those fish around the great lakes for a few years(ha ha...a few million years). Why would this be of concern? I checked out the debate on washingtonlakes.com...I would say just enjoy the pike fishing!  |
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| Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for my super smooth carbon drag, my 30 year old Trilene would bust!
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Captain Quantum
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Posts:1399
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| 29 Dec 2011 04:48 PM |
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Posted By mo65 on 29 Dec 2011 05:02 AM
Pike have co-existed with all those fish around the great lakes for a few years(ha ha...a few million years). Why would this be of concern? I checked out the debate on washingtonlakes.com...I would say just enjoy the pike fishing!
It's not that simple mo65. Every river system is different and they all have their own delicate balance. The Spokane River for instance, where I live, is also being threatened by potential Pike and Smallmouth bass populations as well. The non-native species threaten endangered Red Band Trout populations that exist in certain specific stretches of our river and threaten the trout's spawning grounds. Red band are considered to be a prized game fish and a mass invasion of Pike could eliminate them from our river all together! |
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Captain Quantum
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Posts:1399
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| 29 Dec 2011 04:57 PM |
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mo65
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| 29 Dec 2011 05:37 PM |
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Yep...I'd say if those redband trout are that endangered...you've got your hands full.
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| Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for my super smooth carbon drag, my 30 year old Trilene would bust!
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Captain Quantum
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Posts:1399
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| 30 Dec 2011 12:37 AM |
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Posted By mo65 on 29 Dec 2011 06:37 PM
Yep...I'd say if those redband trout are that endangered...you've got your hands full.
Well, not only are they being threatened by non-native fish species coming into the river but also from stupid hillbillies around here that want to poach them and get a free meal at the expense of the endangered trout!  Fish and Game patrol the river to catch the offenders. Good thing too! |
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mo65
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Posts:1576
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| 30 Dec 2011 06:17 AM |
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Posted By Captain Quantum on 30 Dec 2011 01:37 AM
Posted By mo65 on 29 Dec 2011 06:37 PM
Yep...I'd say if those redband trout are that endangered...you've got your hands full.
Well, not only are they being threatened by non-native fish species coming into the river but also from stupid hillbillies around here that want to poach them and get a free meal at the expense of the endangered trout! Fish and Game patrol the river to catch the offenders. Good thing too!
This is the reason I'm so glad we have the catfish. They seem almost impervious to invasive species and "stupid hillbillies". I'm sure you've heard about the trouble we're having in the Midwest with Asian Carp. I hope they don't make it out your way...if they do you can probably kiss those trout goodbye...you'll be lucky to catch one of those pike you're trying to get rid of. |
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| Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for my super smooth carbon drag, my 30 year old Trilene would bust!
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Captain Quantum
Veteran Poster
Posts:1399
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| 30 Dec 2011 04:43 PM |
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Posted By mo65 on 30 Dec 2011 07:17 AM
Posted By Captain Quantum on 30 Dec 2011 01:37 AM
Posted By mo65 on 29 Dec 2011 06:37 PM
Yep...I'd say if those redband trout are that endangered...you've got your hands full.
Well, not only are they being threatened by non-native fish species coming into the river but also from stupid hillbillies around here that want to poach them and get a free meal at the expense of the endangered trout! Fish and Game patrol the river to catch the offenders. Good thing too!
This is the reason I'm so glad we have the catfish. They seem almost impervious to invasive species and "stupid hillbillies". I'm sure you've heard about the trouble we're having in the Midwest with Asian Carp. I hope they don't make it out your way...if they do you can probably kiss those trout goodbye...you'll be lucky to catch one of those pike you're trying to get rid of.
Yep, heard all about those Asian Carp! Worse than any Pike that's for sure! |
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YellowBear
Advanced Poster
Posts:297
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| 02 Jan 2012 10:35 AM |
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My concern is the Salmon and Steelhead smolt in the Columbia.
I would guess the Pike will make a fine meal out of them any chance they get.
mo65, I have caught some of those Pike and I don't see the draw.
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Pegsguy
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Posts:4095
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| 05 Feb 2012 12:47 PM |
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The upside to pike over the Asian carp is that the pike are much more palatable to North American tastes. Any northern over about 24" is probably worth cleaning and frying up. The hard part is eliminating the "Y" bones before cooking. Trying to eat around these bones is not a pleasant experience! With the bones removed, I would put northern up against walleye for taste anytime! |
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| Lifer in NE Illinois Gen. 1:28 I didn't rise to the top of the food chain to become a vegitarian! |
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mo65
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Posts:1576
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| 05 Feb 2012 01:55 PM |
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Posted By YellowBear on 02 Jan 2012 11:35 AM
mo65, I have caught some of those Pike and I don't see the draw.
YellowBear, I really can't comment on the draw to pike fishing...I don't even have them available to me...but from what I've read and seen...they seem to be very popular. I would sure like to give them a try. Salmon and steelhead too! |
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| Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for my super smooth carbon drag, my 30 year old Trilene would bust!
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