A humorous factor is occurring at Boyer Park alongside the Snake River beneath Decrease Granite Dam.
On the similar time the world has developed right into a dependable walleye fishery, the pikeminnow catch has declined dramatically.
Anglers naturally see a connection. Fisheries managers say it’s potential walleye — a recognized predator of pikeminnow — are accountable for the pikeminnow decline however they aren’t able to say the 2 are associated.
“There are numerous indications that it’s most likely it, however like every good fish and wildlife biologist we wish to see some precise information to make a extra agency proclamation,” stated Eric Winther, undertaking chief of the Columbia River Predator Management Program for the Washington Division of Fish and Wildlife.
The division runs the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program. Funded by the Bonneville Energy Administration, it pays anglers to catch northern pikeminnow from the Snake and Columbia rivers throughout a five-month season.
This system goals to spice up survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead by lowering the abundance of bigger pikeminnow by 10% to twenty%. Anglers are paid $6 to $10 per fish caught and a few are capable of make a dwelling doing so. In 2024, the highest pikeminnow angler earned greater than $164,000 and the highest 20 earned a mean of $47,286.
Anglers verify of their catches at stations all through the basin. Winther stated Boyer Park has been one of many high producers.
However that modified beginning about two years in the past. In 2023, greater than 26,000 pikeminnow had been caught from the Snake River at Boyer Park. The catch dropped to 11,409 final yr and Winther stated it’s on tempo to drop by half once more this yr. Via July 28, solely about 4,700 pikeminnow had been caught there.
“There clearly is one thing organic occurring however it could be two issues occurring without delay,” stated Winther.
