Walleye are invasives

[MeepDog]

The Columbia River has been invaded by massive quantities of non-native species and among other factors (dams, sea lions, over harvest, habitat) are contributing to the decline in our salmonids and other native species. While we can't remove the dams ourselves, we can reduce the number of invasives. Here's a list of the serious offenders that many fishermen might not realize are introduced/invasive species in the Columbia River system.

Smallmouth & largemouth bass
Walleye
Perch
Bluegill, crappie, & sunfish
Catfish
Shad
Carp

It has become an all too common practice to release large walleye and bass and this is wrong. There is no limit for these species for a reason and that's because they do not belong in our rivers. Many of these fish are extremely predatory to small fish such as salmon smolts and native minnows. Don't get me wrong I love catching these fish, but if you catch and release these predators don't complain about poor salmon runs.

[Norman89]

The top five are my top five favorites to eat! Not in that order exactly, but sounds like a need a weekend trip

[Woodchuck]

Just wait til the pike get here.

[Ridgeratt]

If you talk to the head of region 1 eastern brook are as well.

And pike are already there.

[MeepDog]

Just wait til the pike get here.

If Pike get in the lower Columbia basin were even more screwed. There's so much for them to eat.

[pianoman9701]

I unsure of how big of an impact these pesco-predators have as the smolt head to the ocean.  None of them are able to survive in salt water that I know. If we think predators are having a major impact, I'm betting that it's the pinnipeds which have the biggest; seals and sea lions. The eat the fish returning full of eggs. I will keep this in mind as I fish. Having grown up on the east coast, I've always caught and released bass. I'll stop doing that. Bass are great eating.

[MeepDog]

Having grown up on the east coast, I've always caught and released bass. I'll stop doing that. Bass are great eating.

Oh man smallmouth are under appreciated. Battered and fried with tartar sauce and I'd take it over halibut.

[pickardjw]

Having grown up on the east coast, I've always caught and released bass. I'll stop doing that. Bass are great eating.

Oh man smallmouth are under appreciated. Battered and fried with tartar sauce and I'd take it over halibut.

Used to eat largemouth growing up in the south all the time. They just don't appeal to me anymore at all as a food fish. But I'd try a smallie for sure. Must be the cold water...and the fact that they're not green.

[Chesterdog]

If you eat bass be careful when feeding kids.  There's a statewide consumption advisory on bass and pikeminnow.  All other fish consumption advisories are waterway specific, but these predatory fish across the board tend to accumulate mercury... someone had to say it.

[Roosevelt walleye]

I guess if I have to follow your rules I will choose your last option and not complain about salmon runs.

[MeepDog]

If you eat bass be careful when feeding kids.  There's a statewide consumption advisory on bass and pikeminnow.  All other fish consumption advisories are waterway specific, but these predatory fish across the board tend to accumulate mercury... someone had to say it.

Yeah pregnant women can only eat 2 meals of bass a month. Luckily I'm not a pregnant woman

[MeepDog]

I guess if I have to follow your rules I will choose your last option and not complain about salmon runs.

I'd take a healthy salmon fishery over an excellent, but misplaced walleye fishery any day.

[Roosevelt walleye]

And I will take the healthy Walleye fishery that doesn't rely on millions of dollars in hatchery fish to stay healthy. To each their own!

[MeepDog]

And I will take the healthy Walleye fishery that doesn't rely on millions of dollars in hatchery fish to stay healthy. To each their own!

Hatcheries are like a bandaid on a gunshot wound

[Russ McDonald]

Love walleye and any bass.  I believe they are talking more about northern pik and not pikeminnow.  2 totally different fish.  Northerns are way more of a predator fish and they are really tasty.  Also walleye is becoming  a big fishery bringing money when they a catching record walleys on the Columbia.

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