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Fisherman Paid $51,000 for Pikeminnow by Staff Fox 12, August 24, 2010

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Officials say Oregon anglers are making "serious money" this summer in a program that pays people to catch pikeminnow.

The program, funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, helps salmon and steelhead survive in the Columbia and Snake rivers by reducing the number of pikeminnow, which chow down on millions of salmon each year, BPA representatives said.

One fisherman has earned $6,000 by hooking 12 tagged fish.

Another angler has earned more than $51,000 and is approaching the record of nearly $58,000 for individual earnings.

"People are making serious money with this program," said Russell Porter, a manager for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

"And they're having fun fishing while helping save young salmon."

There are still two months left in the pikeminnow fishing season and officials said thousands of tagged fish are still available.

Anglers get paid $4 to $8 for northern pikeminnow that are nine inches and larger. The first 100 are worth $4 each and the next 300 are worth $5 each. After 400 fish are caught and turned in, they're worth $8 each.

BPA representatives said there are also specially tagged fish worth $500.

The final day for the pikeminnow reward program is Sept. 30. The pikeminnow can be caught from the mouth of the Columbia River to Priest Rapids Dam and from the mouth of the Snake River to Hells Canyon Dam.

There's more information about the pikeminnow reward program at pikeminnow.org.