Northern Pike Minnow (squaw) fishing

[blshelly13]

I am looking forward to trying to catch some Northern Pike Minnows for the bounty program on the Columbia river beginning May 1st. I have tried a little in the past years and have only caught a few. My family and I enjoy going on the boat each weekend fishing.

We were told to try closer to Bonneville Dam at the beginning of the season and as the water gets warmer to move closer to Chinook landing.

Has anyone had much success catching these fish? Can you give me any tips? I would appreciate any help.

[Drew9870]

The best baits I have used for squawfish are chicken liver, corn, worms, or use a piece of chicken liver and a marshmallow to float it up

[blshelly13]

Thanks... I have fished worms and chicken livers in the past. I guess I am having trouble locating them. I have read all the info made available from Washington state Fish and wildlife.

I will try the marshmallows with the baits.

Thanks again for the reply.

[mikeredding]

I am looking forward to trying to catch some Northern Pike Minnows for the bounty program on the Columbia river beginning May 1st. I have tried a little in the past years and have only caught a few. My family and I enjoy going on the boat each weekend fishing.

We were told to try closer to Bonneville Dam at the beginning of the season and as the water gets warmer to move closer to Chinook landing.

Has anyone had much success catching these fish? Can you give me any tips? I would appreciate any help.

I have caught literally thousands using a small ball of velveeta cheese rolled onto a treble hook.

[blshelly13]

I will try that. Did you catch them on the Columbia river or in a lake?

[mikeredding]

There were in the North Fork Of the Middle Fork of the Willamette.

[steelheadstalker31]

Its to bad there is not a bounty on them in the Willy, its loaded with them.

[Oregonchris]

I wonder if they would make good crab bait? talk about cheep and plentiful...

[mikeredding]

I wonder if they would make good crab bait? talk about cheep and plentiful...

Yes I have used them and they work well. We used to roll them in newspaper and then drop into plastic garbage bag before freezing. The newspaper makes it easier to separate them when frozen.

[Oregonchris]

Good idea on wrapping them idividuall, cant imagine a big ol ball of frozen squaw fish-gross me out. If you need to sharpen your squaw skills just float the Yamhill river and you can catch as many as you want.