Yes 755 fish is a lot and I myself was not too happy about the number of pike killed. I really do hope that this is the last year of gill-netting or hopefully they can use the same tactic that they do for muskies when checking for stomach content (stick a tube down their throat and flush it with water to see what comes out. The fish stays alive they find out what they are eating). But rest assured, there are still thousands of pike in the river. I attribute the lack of bite to the river rising and the water temperatures falling. Also I heard there was a storm over there which will turn pike off as well until conditions stable. 2 weeks ago on a Friday and a Sunday which was about 2 weeks after the gill netting took place, we were able to put 52 pike in the boat between the 2 days with about that many lost. Again I wasn't exactly happen about the numbers caught and killed in the net, but this study and gill-net surveys are helping develop a regulation for the pike which shall help protect the future of the fishery and hopefully those trophies as well. Oh and just so you know, the majority of the pike had all spawned out, only a few had eggs. I heard that pike will sometimes spawn but still have eggs left in them, I wonder if that was the case for the few females. I also did hear that a pike population in any given body of water can be upwards of 1500 fish per acre. Don't know if that is true, but I would not be surprised if it was.

Good fishing!!

The northern pike is an apex predator in the Pend Oreille River. I think 1500 per acre is way, way off.

The pike should all be spawned out by now, and 755 is a drop in the bucket out there. The river is absolutely teeming with pike and there isn't much to control the population, which is exploding. 10 years ago you wouldn't even catch a pike out there most days, now you can get weekends like Lucius had where you catch 50. That said gill netting is a pretty nasty way to capture fish and hopefully they move to more modern techniques soon. Lastly don't be surprised by this, because remember pike are basically regarded as a trash fish in Washington with no minimum size and no limit on any body of water, so don't expect the state to treat them with kid gloves. Like Lucius said hopefully those pike died so we can get some sort of regulation on them so I can stop watching bass fishermen bash their heads in when they catch them.

At the IEBC meeting tonight we had a guest speaker named Joe who is from the group that helps with the Largemouth bass hatchery and Pend Oreille fishery and an additional representative of the Calipsell tribe. They recorded a 1000%+ growth of pike for this river over the past 4 years with a decline of 40% for the Largemouth Bass. Smallmouth bass were on the rise of about 400%. We were told the Pike spawn occurred a few weeks ago and the majority of pike were in the 3-4 foot range. They talked about many different methods that were used to catch them including shocking. They are actually extremely worried about the pike taking over this fishery with their massive increase in numbers so will be involving the WDFW with their findings. One interesting moment was when they were shocking fish and they got one that would of beat the state record by about 4 inches!

My guess is that they killed that new state record fish. I would have to say the I think 755 pike is likely a drop in the bucket for that fishery but it sickens me to hear that it happened. I wonder how many LMB got killed during their little experiment. I fished up there on May 7th and I'm guessing that's one of the days they were slaughtering the pike. I tried to fish in Campbell Slough and a F&G or tribe boat was there right outside the mouth. I caught nothing in that slough. It usually does very well for me. I watched them throwing fish into the back of their boat from a net like the one in the photo in this post. I tried the slough right across the river when I finished getting skunked at Campbell and low and behold, there they were again throwing fish from their net. I never boated one pike that day and thats not the norm for me. I would be interested to see the findings of their little study. I just read an article from the Spokesman review dated June 22, 2008 that said a tribal study showed that there were not many BASS in the pikes diet. It was a pretty informative article. Here's a link. http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools/story_pf.asp?ID=249466
I wonder if they killed over 750 fish back when they did that study. If they did, then I'm not worried about the pike recovering from this little attempt at genecide. I would have to say that I would expect an increased effort to elliminate the pike though. There are way too many bass fishing purists out there that don't like the pike. Don't get me wrong, I love bass fishing myself but I practice catch and release so I am after the fight and my opinion is that a pike will put up a much better fight than a bass, again that's just my opinion. If you are going to let them go, who cares what species they are. As a matter of fact, a Squaw fish, that's right not a pike minnow, will put up a ferocious fight when he smacks a crankbait, and I don't mind catching those either. How about we find a lake and stock pike in it heavily, that way no body will want to get rid of them. A pike only lake, now that's something I can dream about. It's a good thing we are all diffrent in our opinions, otherwise the world would be a very boring place. Happy fishing to ALL.

Wow, that just ruined my weekend of going after the big boys. Nothing like fighting a big pike! Wonder why 755, why not just 10, or maybe one? I opened the contents of a 4lb pike that I caught last year just to see what they like to eat on the river and what I found sort of surprised me. I think we all know they like to eat fish, but the size of the fish they like to eat surprised me, this 4lber had one 6" perch and one 6" bass in it's stomach, plus my lure that he attacked was an 8" Rainbow trout castiac bait fish! What a pig! I do agree with A.J.'s dad about Pike being better fighters than bass! Sad to see so many killed off, including a possible state record, I think that's always been a goal of most fishermen, the persuit of the "big one".

I have seen pike over populate in numerous lakes in MN and WI which means I appreciate catching a trophy pike more then anyone. For example the lake i grew up on i have had days me and a buddy have caught over 50 each on tip ups and all of them were all under 4 pounds. Last year fishing the POR I dont think i caught a dozen fish under 4. I know the DNR is freaking out about the pike population in this river but I am heavily against gill nets because usually a gill net doesnt care what it kills... Think about how many trophy class fish got killed. If they wanted to kill that many fish they could have worked a little harder and done it shocking them. A couple weeks ago I saw the DNR in at least 6 boats set out and shock the pike while they were spawning to get an idea of the population.. I just wish they would have done the same thing to kill them. A 40 plus inch pike takes a long time to grow and should be left to pass on its genes for generations to come (and I know most of the population was probably spawned out but what about next year and the year after).
Lucius, Sounds like you have that river dialed in.... I dont really get a chance to fish it hard until June

I like the relationship between the Pike and Bass in the PO , You rarely catch a bass under 3 pounds out there, at least that's my personal experience. So the bass you do catch are very nice, since they have to survive all the pike. And like Aj's dad said, Pike are way funner to catch and put up a hell of a fight ! Sad to see that many fish killed (and that's only the ones we know of).

Don't worry yourselves sick, the Northern Pike is there to stay! There is absolutely NOTHING they can do short of nuking the entire area including maybe USK and OLYMPIA while they are at it. They are a bunch of morons who have no idea how to manage a fishery!

Hey Lucious! "10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish" Good Job! That was something else watching that FlyRod catch Pike!

Time for the stupid question of the day. I grew up on the POR--moved away 24 years ago---been living under a rock---where did these pike come from? Illegal plant? Squawfish management technique gone bad? How are those cormorants working out? oops different subject.

fishelk,
For the most part you are correct. Although on those days, I don't think it really mattered what you had on the line, a pike was going to eat it and that was that. I think I probably could have caught a pike with a Budweiser can or even just a shinny hook.

Harley,
The pike have migrated down from the Clark Fork river from Montana. They have been in the river for years, but not until just recently have they established a strong population. If I had to guess, a few males and females finally met up to spawn and that was the end of it.

Lucius. I would say that when they met, that was the beginning of it, not the end of it (LOL). The beginning of a wonderful "Natural" fishery. If the powers to be leave it alone that is. In the article I mentioned they referred to the pike as a Non Native Species. I say that if they got there naturally, they are a native species. The spokesman review article cites the fisheries manager for the Kalispel Tribe as saying "We had a suspicion they were coming," "They'd been upstream in Noxon and Albani reservoirs for a long time. But it was only five years ago that we found some pike here along the reservation (near Cusick)". That comment was made in 2008. If the pike came through the river system then they are natural, unlike some bodies of water that become populated but the ever looming "Bucket Biologists". I say leave them alone and don't waste time and money worrying about what they are eating. If the Good Lord put them there he did it for a reason. I just hope he puts a few in Newman Lake some time soon. I can be in the water there in 10 minutes! Happy Fishing

Makes sense why some of the LMB that I have been catching look so rough. Some of them had creases in the belly. Now that makes sense. They are going to ruin it up there before all is said and done. I want to protect the bass too but I think they are going about it all wrong. And they keep saying that they have no money.

AJ's Dad, I stand corrected, yes that was the beginning of it and you do bring up a good point, since the fish migrated down river naturally wouldn't that be a consideration for a new native species? I guess the question would be can we have a classification called "New Native Species" constituting natural migration and not bucket biology!! I am just glad that there is a fantastic pike fishery in the state of Washington. I just wish they had pike on the west side!!

I personally talked to the warm water biologist who did the netting up there about this exact situation about what was going on with the PO River and the gill netting. He told me that there will be no more gill netting this year. Also the rumor about them killing a state record fish was false, the biggest they got was a 23lb fish, he did say that i believe it was last year his boat actually shocked a fish that would be a state record and the fish was put back unharmed. He said that in i believe it was 2008 they did the same gill netting with the same amount of nets and got like 72 fish. This time they did it and got the 755. That means those fish are exponentially reproducing in the river. He also said that if they keep eating up there stable food supply and start eating there own that the fish will stunt and you get fish that are only about 25-30 inches long and very skinny. He said that wouldnt take that many years for that situation to occur. I agree i wasnt happy about the number of fish taken either but i would rather in the future have a fishery with trophy size fish in it rather than all the 4-5lb fish like we have now. As far as the Pike eating all the Large mouth Bass he said the problem there is actually the Small mouth. The Small mouth is a pack type eating fish meaning they feed in schools and the Large mouth are basically solitary eaters. So its the Smalleys that are running the Largeys out of the river not the Pike which are the ones taking all the heat for the lack of Large mouth, not to say there not eating some of those too. Take Long Lake for example look what happened in there use to be Large mouth now its almost all Smalleys. If people want to know the truth about whats going on up there call or email one of the warm water biologist in Spokane and get the info first hand. There seems to be alot of rumors flying about what there doing up there. The 755 Pike they killed up there is just a drop in the bucket, i fish the river about everyday and its not why people arent catching fish, alot has to do with water temp and water level along with the bad weather we've been having. If anyone want to attend a Muskie Inc Chapter 60 meeting in Spokane on June 9th at 6:30 pm at the Roundtable pizza on 1908 W Francis there will be someone from fish and wildlife there to answer questions about the Muskie program in Washington State along with im sure questions about the PO River. I also see a size limit coming on the Pike in the near future. I hope they actually put a no dead baiting rule in there also to protect the big fish, theres no way to release a fish that swallows a treble hook down that deep. Good fishing everyone

Craig, that is some good information for all of us. Its great to have the tribe and the fish and game working together, thats not always the case, ie. west coast salmon. Fisherman should have their eyes and ears open to the management of their local fisheries, after all you are paying for it. As a former gillnet fisherman in Alaska whom worked hand in with ADFG I can tell you there is much planning that goes on before the nets hit the water. After the netting the real work begins as they research size, eating habits, reproductive patterns, general health, effects on the other species they share the river with and it goes on and on. Management of a fishery is tricky business and they don't always get it right but some times the hard and unpopular path is the right path. I now fish for pleasure and very much enjoy what the research Oreille offers. Having grown up fishing the area and now returning 30 years later I hope everyone realizes how truly fortunate you are to be living in Eastern WA., Northern Idaho. So be informed, be involved (join your local fishing club) and take your kids fishing.

Well put Gentlemen!!

No matter what body of water you find imbalance of predator/prey you will find F&G in the middle of it. Coincidence? I think not. I'v e seen it from the Midwest to the west coast. Biologists playing God don't do eco-systems any good. Can we do anything about it? No. So we have to take what is left in the barrel when this "God" is done playing his games with our fish. Their theories may work in a controlled environment back in the college classroom, but out here in the wild where "we" fishermen are part of the food chain, it doesn't work.........at all. If left unchecked your favorite fishing hole becomes "supply and take" synthetic eco-system (stocking) engineered by these "pat themselves on the back" Gods. The most effective means of stopping them is stop paying for a fishing license to cut their financing, and just how many people will be doing that? I rest my case.

ps: the problem with electro-shocking is that it kills forage too, massively. In other words, where I've seen this type of "messing with Mother Nature" the bottom of the food chain is nearly depleted. Consequently, the main species of fish starve off to greatly decreased numbers, like your LMB.