GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

I was out at the Delta Cross Channel today. This weather doesnt help but the bite died by 9 am and I was done fishing by 11:30. Caught a small striper and a pikeminnow. Released both.

I have hear all kinds of different feedback regarding the Northern Pikeminnow. Some say chop em up, they are an invasive species.

I have also heard from others that the fish is native and to release em if you don't eat em. Looks too bony for me, not interest in eating them. In the past I've used em as live bait, killed em or released them. What should I do with them? What is responsible considering the Salmon and other species they co exist with?

Tight Lines 🎣

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
DO THE FOLLOWING
• Fish without a valid fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older (FGC 7145);
• Fail to return a report card by the deadline printed on the report card. Reporting harvest
online at www.wildlife.ca.gov satisfies the return requirement (CCR T-14, Section 1.74);
• Take or possess fish taken illegally (FGC 2000 and 2002);
• Transfer licenses, tags, validations, permits, applications or reservations to another
person (FGC 1052);
• Use or possess any license, tag, validation, permit, application or reservation not lawfully
issued to the user (FGC 1052);
• Alter, mutilate, deface, duplicate or counterfeit any license, tag, validation, permit,
application or reservation (FGC 1052);
• Fish without the required report card on a free-fishing day (CCR T-14 Section 1.74);
• Sell or barter fish taken with a sport fishing license (FGC 7121);
• Cause the deterioration or waste of any fish taken in the waters of this state

GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

Thanks for the cut n paste but I don't think this answers my question about the Pikeminnow. I have more than enough licenses to fish. I have every license and card available in my territory.

Tight Lines 🎣

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

Did not read bottom line?

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Hey that second one is worth $8.00. Mail it to me😂

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

The pikeminnow is native to the Columbia and Snake rivers but I’m not sure if they are where you are. I tried eating one once and I wouldn’t try it again. Probably the worst fish I’ve ever tasted. It’s a catch 22 for me. I release all the undersized ones because I get paid to catch em. Most people just kill em and use em for bait. They’re, like, the number once choice for white sturgeon bait where I fish. Killing them, to me, is like throwing $8.00 away so I don’t to preserve my fishery. They are a voracious predator and eat lots of baby fish but so do bass, walleye, perch, most species of trout and, definitely fish like northern pike, muskies and the like. It’s legal to just kill them but it’s up to you. Would you just kill every other fish you catch if you weren’t going to eat it. Walleye and bass devour far more juvenile fish than northern pikeminnow do. The pikeminnow is not a hearty swimmer like bass and walleye. Every walleye I’ve ever caught was plum full of baby fish. Including Northern Pikeminnow smolt. Actually just about any fish half their size is going down the hatch. Even smaller walleye. I caught a 7 pound walleye once with a two pound walleye stuffed in his mouth and he still hammered my tube. They’re wicked predators.

GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

That's wild about their predatorial nature. I want to do what's best for the ecosystems but also don't want to run afoul with the law.

Never caught a Walleye, not local in the Southwest that I know of but its on the list.

Tight Lines 🎣

GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

Ok I see more clearly now. I guess the confusion was between the Sacramento Pikeminnow l Iike I caught and the Northern Pike which is invasive here. Gotta stop listening to folks' opinions and just read the regs. Thx for sharing.

Tight Lines 🎣

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

I don’t have a clue about California but I know lots of people kill them in Oregon and Washington. I’ve see it done with law enforcement present and we turn our fish into the Washington fish and wildlife division. It might be just such a thing they’re legal to kill in a depredation scenario. I’d check with your area the way things are now days.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Check the regs for where you are fishing - been said many times.

GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

Thanks man, that's what I did.

Sacramento Pike = OK

Northern Pike - Kill it by removing head


Tight Lines 🎣