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Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: oldleclercrd on April 22, 2011, 07:20:42 PM


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Title: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: oldleclercrd on April 22, 2011, 07:20:42 PM
I think it would be cool to get a bunch of us members together on the Pend Oreille River to have a pike tournament. The river is 55 miles of fishing and is LOADED with pike! We could set a date and then maybe a few guys on this site can donate a couple of things for prizes or something (biggest fish, most fish). It might be fun and we can meet each other. Maybe Bearpaw has ideas if interested...

Brent
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: sakoshooter on April 22, 2011, 11:55:04 PM
Check out this link: http://www.northidahopikeassn.com/PHOTO.html (http://www.northidahopikeassn.com/PHOTO.html)

They already hold northern pike tournaments there. Many are "open" tourneys.
Beautiful country up there. I fished it one day early last spring.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: bearpaw on April 23, 2011, 05:20:50 AM
There is an issue with WDFW permitting events involving wildlife. I will be checking into what we can and can not do next week. Please pm me next week in case I forget to reply about what I learn in this thread.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: HornHoarder on April 23, 2011, 08:50:29 AM
I enjoy fishing the PO river for pike. I'd be interested in a tournament. I've also heard a rumor going around that WDFW and the Kalispel tribe plan to eradicate the pike in this river. Say there not a native species. Anybody know anything about this?
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: jackelope on April 23, 2011, 08:59:09 AM
I enjoy fishing the PO river for pike. I'd be interested in a tournament. I've also heard a rumor going around that WDFW and the Kalispel tribe plan to eradicate the pike in this river. Say there not a native species. Anybody know anything about this?

There was a WDFW news release a week or so ago. I got the email. I can't, however, remember what it said. Let me do a little digging.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: jackelope on April 23, 2011, 09:00:55 AM

Quote
April 07, 2011
Contact: Bill Baker, WDFW, (509) 684-2362, ext. 23
Joe Maroney, KNRD, (509) 447-7272



Public meetings scheduled on northern pike


The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians Natural Resources Department (KNRD) will hold public meetings April 19 and 20 to discuss non-native northern pike in Pend Oreille River and other eastern Washington waters, and take public input on options to control them and minimize their impacts on native fish.

The 6 to 8 p.m. meetings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, April 19, at Create Arts Center, 900 W. 4th St., in Newport

Wednesday, April 20, at Center Place, 2426 N. Discovery Place, in Spokane Valley
Recent WDFW and KNRD surveys have documented a rapid increase in the number of northern pike in the Pend Oreille River, and a reduction in forage fish such as native minnows, whitefish and suckers, as well as non-native sportfish such as largemouth bass.

Left unchecked, northern pike could severely impact other fish—including native westslope cutthroat and bull trout—and undermine efforts to restore native fish populations in the river system.

Options under consideration by WDFW and KNRD to control pike on the Pend Oreille River include netting fish and donating them to local food banks, sport-reward fisheries, and fishing tournaments targeting pike, according to Bill Baker, a WDFW district fish biologist in Colville.

The Pend Oreille River’s northern pike are believed to have originated from illegal stocking in the Clark Fork River system in western Montana. The fish migrated downstream to Lake Pend Oreille, then into the Pend Oreille River in Idaho and Washington.

The first pike in the Pend Oreille River was captured in a 2004 scientific survey, although they have been reported by anglers since the late 1980s. Pike are currently found throughout river’s Box Canyon Reservoir and Boundary Reservoir.

“Our immediate concern is predation on native westslope cutthroat and bull trout,” said Baker, “but native salmon, steelhead and other species also could be at risk if pike migrate downstream and establish populations in the Columbia River. We’re also concerned about northern pike populations establishing in other Washington waters.”

KNRD Fisheries and Water Resources Director Joe Maroney said the tribe is equally concerned, and is determined to prevent the spread and further illegal introduction of northern pike.

“We want to reduce the number of pike and we’re working closely with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop the best management strategy,” Maroney said.

WDFW and KNRD fish biologists will conduct population-assessment surveys in late April through May to determine the abundance of northern pike and other fish species in Box Canyon Reservoir.
   
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: benhuntin on April 23, 2011, 09:01:17 AM
I enjoy fishing the PO river for pike. I'd be interested in a tournament. I've also heard a rumor going around that WDFW and the Kalispel tribe plan to eradicate the pike in this river. Say there not a native species. Anybody know anything about this?
hey Horn hoarder we just moved to elk and would like to give it a try.  Any suggestions  what to use and where to go or how about you hop on our boat and come out for the day.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: oldleclercrd on April 23, 2011, 09:05:48 AM
Ok Bearpaw thanks for your help. Yeah it doesnt have to be a huge deal just some of us members hanging out and catching pike while were at it. I dont think the pike can be totally eradicated because it may harm the protected (Dolly Varden I think) trout. The are trying to figureout a management plan instead. There was a big article in last sundays Spokesman Review paper.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: HornHoarder on April 23, 2011, 09:12:52 AM
Hey Jackelope, thanks for the info. Sounds like the rumors I've heard are true. A bounty program for pike sounds good to me. Make some money and still enjoy the fishing. In my opinion I would rather catch those northerns than any other fish in that river. I'd also agree that pike are becoming abundant, and are a voracious predator. No doubt taking their toll on other fish species.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: buglebrush on April 23, 2011, 09:26:45 AM
I live in PendOreille county and fish the river vigorously, concentrate on bass though.  If anyone ever wants to go send me a pm.  I work six days a week so, it may be difficult to make our schedules click, but i would be willing to try. 
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: bass2elk on April 25, 2011, 08:50:54 AM
Went Saturday had multiple strikes but only managed to land the one
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: sakoshooter on April 27, 2011, 12:02:38 PM
Last spring I fished one day with Marc Divens(WDFW)to do some tagging on the Pend Oreille. I believe we caught/tagged/released about 15. Mostly 25" - 28" males but I did get lucky and put this one in the net. 40.5" x 18". Tagged and released of course.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on April 27, 2011, 12:13:23 PM
That's a dandy.  Haven't fish for pike since I lived in Wisconsin.  too fun.
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: GoldTip on April 27, 2011, 12:54:33 PM
"The Pend Oreille River’s northern pike are believed to have originated from illegal stocking in the Clark Fork River system in western Montana. The fish migrated downstream to Lake Pend Oreille, then into the Pend Oreille River in Idaho and Washington."

I guess Whitefish Lake is in the "Clark Fork River System."  They were illegally planted there sometime in the early to mid-70's, we started catching them and noticing a downturn it trout numbers in the late 70's.  They then migrated downstream to the Flathead river and lakes, from there they have infiltrated almost every river and lake
in Western Montana it seems.  I would hope that WA fish and wildlife would take a hint from Montana and realize that there is ZERO way to get rid of these fish if they have any access to a river system, just isn't going to happen. I miss the old days of taking huge lakers on Whitefish and Flathead lake, those days are gone, both due to the Pike and due to F&G destroying the Kokanee salmon runs as well.  But hey, Pike eat real well also.  But mark my words, if they are in the PO river, they will also be in Priest Lake, eventually.  Maybe not today or tomorrow, but they will get there.  I have seen them appear in lakes with nothing but spring fed and no outlet in NW Montana, no way is someone planting them all illegally, they just seem to get there.  OK, OK, will get off my soap box, I apologize. :jacked:
Title: Re: H-W pike tournament on Pend Orielle River?
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on April 27, 2011, 12:59:36 PM
the WDFW and the Kalispel Tribe are trying to find some ways to manage them.  It's likely to involve gillnetting in spawning beds.  Just wait 'till they reach the Columbia...

You guys should come catch them now.  It's likely there will be more and more pressure on that population.
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