Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jace on May 11, 2010, 10:00:23 PM

Title: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: Jace on May 11, 2010, 10:00:23 PM
Love catching these things in small river systems.

Have heard so many different things about killing them upon catch / release.
They eat all the eggs of other fish, plus smaller fish...

So whats your view on the mighty Squaw
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on May 11, 2010, 10:07:30 PM
They fight like a wet sock. I would never target them. I know enough places to target better fighting species so why would I waste my time?
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: FishOn36 on May 11, 2010, 10:10:36 PM
They fight like a wet sock.

LOL  ;D
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: Jace on May 11, 2010, 10:31:42 PM
HAHA completely true, yet I would rather walk down the hill to my spot and sit in the sun with very light tackle and catch these fish, and the odd trout. Thank sit on my butt at home and watch tv..... Understand?

But you didnt answer my question, kill, or release
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: troutbreath on May 12, 2010, 07:31:23 AM
I've had a high mortality rate releasing these fish.
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: Rodney on May 12, 2010, 10:36:33 PM
By law, you are required to release all fish that you do not intend to eat. Northern pikeminnow is a native freshwater species that has predated on salmonids since the last glacial period. The predator-prey relationship is a selection force that has kept salmon populations strong, not just quantitatively but more importantly their genetic diversity. That balance has been tampered by overfishing for species that are more commercially desirable to human in the last century. To label certain species as a threat to the survival of salmonids rather than focusing on the true causes of their demise is ignorant. Killing a few northern pikeminnow may give you some warm fuzzy feeling, it does not do your beloved salmon any favour. If anything, it just frees up more niches in the ecosystem for more northern pikeminnow or other predatory fish to occupy.
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: Jace on May 13, 2010, 12:39:06 AM
By law, you are required to release all fish that you do not intend to eat. Northern pikeminnow is a native freshwater species that has predated on salmonids since the last glacial period. The predator-prey relationship is a selection force that has kept salmon populations strong, not just quantitatively but more importantly their genetic diversity. That balance has been tampered by overfishing for species that are more commercially desirable to human in the last century. To label certain species as a threat to the survival of salmonids rather than focusing on the true causes of their demise is ignorant. Killing a few northern pikeminnow may give you some warm fuzzy feeling, it does not do your beloved salmon any favour. If anything, it just frees up more niches in the ecosystem for more northern pikeminnow or other predatory fish to occupy.

Thats what I was looking for. Thanks Rod
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: doja on May 13, 2010, 01:07:26 AM
Well I've always welcomed catching something/anything some days and they fit the bill nicely. I release all unharmed. Seen a 5-6# come out of a local lake recently and I bet it was more thrilling to catch than the puny local trout stocks.
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: skaha on May 13, 2010, 08:48:04 AM
--I learned many things as a kid fishing the mighty pikeminnow on the Thompson. Mainly catch and release after I took the first batch home to a less than warm reception.
--How to tie knots.. different float and bottom bounce rigs etc. Casting technique and landing fish. All skills learned from catching and releasing many fish.

--I think we need a recipe section for those that want to try these. Several years ago our fishing club had a  local knowledgeable chef prepare several tasty Carp dishes.
--We pay big bucks to eat snails? There must be some interesting ways to prep these fish.
Title: Re: Squawfish / Northern pikeminnow
Post by: fishseeker on May 13, 2010, 12:41:36 PM
Great fish to target when teaching kids,  when they are on the bite you get so many it keeps them from getting bored.  Agree that it beats watching TV especially when there is a nice sunset at high tide on the Fraser.

I never kill anything unless I intend to eat it.