An Open Opportunity
to Help Clean up the Eel River - $$$$
This is just perfect for our intrepid TVFF “junk-fish” champions, Gary Prince and Hunter Guidess, as they expand their expertise to Pikeminnows. Follow their lead for fame and fortune!!
Hunter knows how to hunt those junkfish, too! But will he use his bow this time?
Eel River, all waters open to angling on the South Fork Eel River downstream of Humboldt County line to the confluence with the mainstem and the mainstem Eel from the confluence with the South Fork Eel to the mouth of the Van Duzen.
Sacramento pikeminnow are a native fish to California but were introduced to the Eel River watershed in the 1970s and can have a significant impact on native fish populations. Therefore, suppression of Sacramento pikeminnow in the Eel River is a tool managers can use to aid in the conservation of our native fishes. CalTrout, TRIB Research, Wiyot Tribe, Bureau of Land Management, and Stillwater Sciences are hosting an Eel River Pikeminnow Fishing Derby to aid in pikeminnow suppression efforts. This derby gives cash prize awards up to $400 to anglers who want to enjoy sport fishing for Eel River pikeminnow while simultaneously helping our native fish populations.
Sponsored by TRIB Research with more information here on how to enter and contest rules: Website: https://tribresearch.org/pikeminnow/
How You Can Participate:
Come and get em'!
$2,000 in cash prizes
To enter into the contest you must provide a valid (Google) email address and upload a photo of your fish. Thanks for participating and doing your part to protect native fishes in the Eel River. Winners will receive exciting prizes! Here are the prize categories:
1. Most pikeminnow (greater than 6 inches) removed over the duration of the contest. Prizes: $150, $75, and $300.
2. Most pikeminnow (greater than 12 inches) removed over the duration of the contest. MUST include tape measure in photo. Prizes: $400, $200, and $100.
3. Biggest fish (length). MUST include tape measure in photo. Prizes: $350, $150, and $100.
4. Drawing for anyone that entered a pikeminnow in the contest. Prizes: 8 winners at $50 each.
Conservation statement:
Sacramento pikeminnow are a native fish to California but were introduced to the Eel in the 1970’s. Sacramento pikeminnow are piscivorous (eat other fish) and have been found to consume native salmonids and lamprey among other fishes in the Eel River. On top of the many stressors affecting the Eel River such as drought, habitat availability, and other climate change impacts pikeminnow can have a significant effect on native fish populations. Therefore, suppression of Sacramento pikeminnow in the Eel River is another tool managers can use to aid in the conservation of our native fishes.
Contestants will follow all CDFW fishing regulations, including no bait, barbless artificial lures only. Single barbless hooks are recommended for all manners of effort including, fly, and artificial lures. This derby includes all waters open to angling on the South Fork Eel River downstream of Humboldt County line to the confluence with the mainstem. And the mainstem Eel from the confluence with the South Fork Eel to the mouth of the Van Duzen.
Eel river regulations currently state there is no bag limit on pikeminnow. Retention of salmonids is strictly prohibited.
Strict compliance with Fish and Game Code Section 1.87: WASTE OF FISH; it is unlawful to cause or permit any deterioration or waste of any fish taken in the waters of this state.
Suggestions for fish use: consumption, gardening fertilizer, crab bait, or research. Fish to be donated for research purposes can be dropped off in the receptacle at Dimmick Road, Highway 271, Piercy, CA or at the Table Bluff Reservation during business hours.
Prohibited actions: Throwing fish on the bank or into the river, any blatant waste of fish.
Any violation of Fish and Game Code Section 1.87 will be subject to law enforcement prosecution.
"If you can't beat 'em eat 'em"
Recipe: Pikeminnow Fish Cakes
1. Fillet pikeminnow and remove skin.
2. Grind fillet using a meat grinder or food processor. This will either separate the dreaded y-bones from the meat or obliterate them into your patties. Alternate option is to cut out the y-bones following one of the many online tutorials.
3. Add ginger, Chinese five spice, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and 1 egg depending on the amount of minnow you have.
4. Drop fish cakes into pan with shallow amount of hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
5. Make dipping sauce with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and toasted sesame oil.
Enjoy! Don’t believe the common misconception that pikeminnow are inedible. They are delicious, they just need extra care to deal with the y-bones.
Warning: It is recommended men over 18 and women over 50 eat no more than one serving of pikeminnow per week. All other groups should abstain from eating this fish. See the full fish advisory report here.
For more information: Click here or email Matt Metheny mmetheny @ caltrout.org.
Learn more about CalTrout’s efforts to suppress pikeminnow here.
