$500 Pikeminnows.

Breck

Breck

The Whisk(e)y Dick
A few years back, I was fishing the Cowlitz with a fellow PNWFF member (you can identify yourself if you like) and he hooked and landed one of the tagged fish. I happened to bring this story up on another local fishing forum by replying to a post about pikeminnow. Some of the other members there were saying that in order to claim the bounty, the fish had to have been landed within 400' of the tributary mouth. We were several miles upriver of the mouth. But, the bounty was claimed without any issues as I understand it. Has anyone else ever hooked into one of the tagged fish? Just curious.
 
Breck said:
Some of the other members there were saying that in order to claim the bounty, the fish had to have been landed within 400' of the tributary mouth. We were several miles upriver of the mouth. But, the bounty was claimed without any issues as I understand it.
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I saw your post over there. It's true, 400'. You also have to be registered before catching the tagged fish. Don't take my word for it, look at the link below. If I remember correctly on the form it asks if you followed the rules where you sign.

Pikeminnow Sport Reward Rules
 
It’s all becoming more clear now. I’ve never registered, so I never really looked into it. He did, to his credit, split the bounty with me 50/50 as we were in my boat. It was a tough day, otherwise. We would have skunked out without the pikeminnow.
 
If I remember correctly were there not a couple of fisherman making 50-60k a couple years ago on Pike-minnow catch at $9 per fish caught and bagged?
 
Dude caught over 15k pikeminnows...
Over 40 a day, everyday
 
I've tried a few times to get dialed on them and figured out the Columbia program so I could make a few bucks. Never figured it out. I know most the guys getting the big numbers are at the dams and doing something there though.
 
I looked at the Washougal Boat Ramp numbers from this year. It appeared that the average count per angler, per day was 40-ish. There were 4 tagged fish turned in at that station. The tug is the drug. I might actually casually pursue this next season. Good excuse to toss a line out and crack a barley pop with the Mrs.
 
From what I've gathered, you really have to know what you're doing to be successful at this. You need a big water-worthy boat. And you have to move around a lot and find them. I don't think my drift boat is up to the task.
 
Breck said:
From what I've gathered, you really have to know what you're doing to be successful at this. You need a big water-worthy boat. And you have to move around a lot and find them. I don't think my drift boat is up to the task.
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Dude lived on his boat for 5 months!

Ask him how much he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Or doing anything other than fish for NPM for months.
No thanks.
 
I had no idea one could make a living fishing for pikeminnow...I caught several huge ones in the Clark Fork last year...I've never caught one in WA...
 
Matt B said:
Dude lived on his boat for 5 months!

Ask him how much he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Or doing anything other than fish for NPM for months.
No thanks.
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Just for shits and giggles, lets say you have a 40 hour/week job, work 11 1/2 months/50 weeks/2000 hours @45$/hr the gross income would be $90,000.
This dude spent 5 months/20 weeks and even if you said he fished 24 hours a day/3600 hours, which is unlikely, he averaged over 44$/hour. If my numbers are correct he would have reached the $90,000 mark in under 3 months vs. 11 1/2 months plus he gets to choose his friends. :ROFLMAO:
Hmmm:unsure:
 
This just in... present this to your wife and maybe you can get that new boat you always dreamed of.

Yes, income from catching pikeminnow for bounty can be a business for tax purposes, reportable on IRS Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) as a sole proprietorship, allowing you to deduct related expenses like tackle, fuel, and mileage, but you must also track it as taxable income, potentially subject to self-employment tax and state B&O taxes if in Washington, requiring diligent record-keeping.
 
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