Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program

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Catch Cash
Save Salmon

Protecting juvenile salmon through sustainable predation management

The Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program

Image of Bonneville Dam.

Bonneville Dam, 2016. Photo by Isaac Lane Koval.

Why Manage Northern Pikeminnow?

Northern Pikeminnow eat millions of salmon and steelhead juveniles each year in the Columbia and Snake river systems. The goal of the program is not to eliminate Northern Pikeminnow, a native species, but rather to reduce the number of large fish. Reducing the number of these larger predators can greatly increase the salmon and steelhead juveniles making it out to sea.

 

The Bonneville Power Administration funds the program to partially mitigate for the impact of the federal Columbia River hydroelectric system on salmon. Results indicate the program is successful. Since the Sport-Reward Fishery was implemented in 1991, predation of juvenile salmon by Northern Pikeminnow has been reduced up to 40% through the removal of more than 5.4 million Northern Pikeminnow.

 

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission administers the overall Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program. The program is run in cooperation with Northwest fish management agencies and tribes.

Catch cash Save Salmon. Pikeminnow fish with cash roll suspending from hook.

Northern Pikeminnow fish with a roll of cash in a fish hook, 2016. Photo credit Isaac Lane Koval.

Save Juvenile Salmon And Earn Cash

You can help save salmon and get paid to do it by going fishing! The Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery Program, funded by the Bonneville Power Administration and administered by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, pays anglers for each Northern Pikeminnow they catch that is nine inches or longer.

 

Rewards range from $6 to $10 per fish and the more fish an angler catches, the more they’re worth. The first 25 in one season are worth $6 each; after 25, they are worth $8 each; and after 200 they are worth $10 each. Verified external tags are worth $500 and verified tag loss fish are now worth $200 each!

 

In 2023, the top-twenty anglers caught an average of 4,005 fish per angler and averaged reward payments of $40,135 each for the 5 month season. The highest paid angler earned $107,800.

Pikeminnow Fisherman with two Northern Pikeminnow fish.

An angler holding two Northern Pikeminnow in a boat, 2016. Photo by Isaac Lane Koval.

2024 Nothern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Season

The 2024 season for the sport-reward fishery started at select stations on May 1, 2024. The season ended September 25, 2024.


Fishing takes place within the mainstem Columbia River from the estuary to Priest Rapids Dam in eastern Washington and the Snake River from its confluence with the Columbia up to Hells Canyon Dam. This area represents the migration corridor of juvenile salmon.


Mail in all reward vouchers within 30 days of the end of each year’s fishery. To obtain payment, vouchers must be received no later than Nov. 15 of each year’s fishery. Any issues preventing payment (missing information, voiding of voucher for program violations, etc.) must be resolved by November 15, 2024 or the voucher becomes null and void.

“We are pleased to see the Northern Pikeminnow program continues to have a high level of angler support since good public participation has always been the key component to achieving our salmon enhancement goal."

Eric Winther- Project Leader
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

NEW Download the Pikeminnow Registration Mobile App today!

  • Register for the Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program using your mobile phone
  • View past registrations
  • See current program rules and station times
  • Questions about how to make a Secure Access Washington account? Click here
Image of the Pikeminnow Regsitration App

ADA Resources

The Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program welcomes participants of all kinds. Below are links to ADA features, amenities and maps.

Latest Updates

September 23-25, 2024 Recap

October 1, 2024
And that’s a wrap, folks! Total catch for the final week was 3,496 NPM checked in by 185 anglers. Highlights…
Continue Reading →

Subscribe For $10 Coupon And Program Updates

We only send out important program updates, such as station changes, season updates and upcoming events, etc.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Northern Pikeminnow look like?The Northern Pikeminnow is a large member of the minnow family. It has a deeply forked tail, and a long snout, and is commonly mistaken for peamouth. Click the link above for more information.
How do I catch a Northern Pikeminnow?There are a variety of ways to catch Northern Pikeminnow almost anywhere on the Columbia and Snake River. To learn more about these techniques click the link above for more information.
How do I register and check in a Northern Pikeminnow?Anglers must register each day before they fish. Anglers may register in person or with the Pikeminnow Registration Mobile App. To find out how to check in your fish for a payment voucher click the link above for more information.

Contact Us

Pikeminnow Hotline

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
800-858-9015 Toll Free
360-906-6707
pikeminnow@dfw.wa.gov

Reward Voucher Information Line

800-769-9362 Toll Free
503-595-3297
vouchers@pikeminnow.org

Bonneville Power Administration 
Fish & Wildlife Department

503-230-3862
800-622-4520 Visitor Center

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A FISHERIES DATA PROJECT OF
THE PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION