Outdoor notebook

There is still a bounty for squawfish.

The northern pikeminnow sport-fishing reward program on the Columbia and Snake rivers has been extended through Oct. 15 because of good results.

The program is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration.

Researchers believe that by reducing squawfish populations in the Columbia and Snake rivers, the survival of salmon and steelhead can be increased.

Since 1990, more than 1.3 million squawfish have been removed from the rivers. Biologists estimate that predation on juvenile salmon has been cut by 25 percent.

From May 1 to Sept. 17, 28,530 anglers caught 168,732 fish.

Turnout and catches from Sept. 11-17: Cathlamet Marina, 51 anglers with 223 fish; Willow Grove, 45 with 274; Rainier, 83 with 420; Scappoose, 23 with 273; Gleason, 71 with 734; Chinook Landing, 19 with 446; Washougal, 93 with 293; The Fishery, 16 with 156; Bonneville Trail Head, 24 with 147; The Dalles, 23 with 134; Columbia Point, 16 with 198; Vernita, 49 with 1,623; Greenbelt, 89 with 1,339; and Lyon's Ferry, 15 with 119.

Squawfish lurk in rocky areas with fast currents near dams, islands, river mouths, points, eddies, pilings and ledges or bars. Try at depths of 7 to 25 feet.

Sunrise, sunset and evenings are the best fishing times. Studies show squawfish move into shallow water during low-light conditions.

Most anglers use a sliding lead weight of one-half to 2 ounces and a No. 2 hook attached to their bait. Chicken liver is the bait of choice. Also try fried chicken skin, salmon eggs, grasshoppers, crayfish tails and shrimp.

Lures such as lipless rattling crankbaits or diving crankbaits with big lips are the most popular. Try blue, green or back lures.

The reward is $4 to $6 per fish, depending on the number each person catches. The minimum size is 9 inches.

Check stations are located at: Cathlamet Marina, Rainier Marina, Gleason boat ramp, Chinook Landing, Washougal boat ramp, The Fishery, Bonneville Trailhead, Bingen Marina, Hood River Marina, The Dalles Boat Basin, Giles French, Greenbelt and the Vernita Bridge Rest Area.

For details on the program call 800-622-4519 or for a brochure call 800-858-9015 or visit the Web site at www.pikeminnow.org.

Notes

-- While sockeye and coho salmon flourished in the Lake Washington basin this year, the chinook run was dismal.

"We had about 4,200 chinook pass the Ballard Locks, and it is really sad to see this run go backwards," said Mike Mahovlich, a Muckleshoot tribal biologist. "This is the lowest run in 10 years, and mimics 1996, which had just a few more fish."

This year's chinook experienced a lot pre-spawn mortality, and faced killing water temperatures in Lake Union and the Sammamish Slough. Runs in the past three years averaged 9,000 to 11,000 fish.

-- The Muckleshoot tribal coho fishery was very good in the Green River last Sunday, and the netting yielded the highest first-night tribal catch on record. The tribes landed 7,500 coho, which is also the largest catch in the last 10 years. The coho averaged a healthy six pounds. This river opens Oct. 1 for sport coho fishing.

-- The Tengu Fishing Derby is every Sunday in October for coho. Cost is $12 per angler, and $6 for youth under age 12. For details, call 206-361-2970.

-- Between Oct. 14 and Oct. 22, the bag limit for mule deer will go from any deer to a three-point antler minimum for the eastern section of Game Management Unit 381. The boundary begins at Pasco, north on Highway 395 to State Route 17 in Mesa, and north on State Route 17 to Muse Road.

-- The Northwest Fly Anglers Club offers a beginning fly-tying class in October. The class meets Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. For details, call 425-743-9186.

-- The Bremerton Power Squadron Boat Smart Course is Oct. 4 to Nov. 1, 7 p.m., at Port Orchard Yacht Club, 201 Bay Street. Classes are every Wednesday. Cost is $25 per person or a family. For details, call 360-871-0382 (John Cederlund).

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