You can catch Northern Pikeminnow almost anywhere on the Columbia River. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast current near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Most fish are caught in 7 to 25 feet of water.

Northern Pikeminnow feed heavily on smolts, freshwater clams, and crayfish. They move to find concentrations of prey. Finding Northern Pikeminnow may not be easy. After fishing an area for 30 minutes to an hour without good results, try somewhere upstream or downstream.