Field reports: Anglers can cash in on pikeminnows

FISHING – Anglers can begin fishing for cash on today as the Columbia-Snake river northern pikeminnow sport-reward program opens for 2016.

The program continues until Sept. 30 and pays $5 for the first 25 northern pikeminnow, $6 for Nos. 26 through 200, and $8 for No. 201 and more.

As an additional incentive, pikeminnows that have been captured, tagged and released in the Columbia and Snake rivers are worth $500 each, said Eric Winther, program manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Pikeminnows must be at least 9 inches long to earn the reward.

The reward program was established to help mitigate the impacts dams have on endangered salmong and steelhead runs. Pikeminnows are native fish, but the dams give them an unnatural advantage to prey on the juvenile salmon and steelhead as they are disoriented comeing through the dams.

Pikeminnows are known to eat millions of young salmon and steelhead migrating down the Columbia and Snake rivers annually.

Some anglers have taken the six-month annual program seriously. In 2015, the top 20 anglers caught an average of about 4,000 pikeminnow each and averaged reward payments of $34,000. The top earner made $100,453, Winther said.

Anglers must register before they go fishing. There are 19 registration stations scattered between Cathlamet and Clarkston.

Info: www.pikeminnow.org.

Get pheasant chicks

to raise, release

GAME BIRDS – The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council is distributing day-old pheasant chicks to people who have facilities to raise birds for around six weeks before releasing them into the wild.

The council provides the birds in lots of 25 and charges a fee to cover costs.

The first shipment of chicks from Little Canyon Shooting Preserve in Peck, Idaho, will be distributed May 10 and will continue every Tuesday until the available chicks are gone, said program coordinator Larry Carey.

Chicks must be reserved at least a week before delivery. Call (509) 328-6429. They will be available for pickup at the council office, 6116 N. Market.

Ice Age Floods

sessions scheduled

GEOLOGY – The local chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute has scheduled three educational events this month:

Friday, lecture – “Spokane Before, During, After Glacial Lake Missoula Outburst Megaflood,” 7 p.m., Lair Auditorium, Building 6, Spokane Community College. Free.

Saturday, field trip – Spokane area guided bus tour with lunch at Arbor Crest Winery, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Minimum age 21. Cost: $75 or $25 for teachers and students. Sign up by Wednesday with Linda Long, (509) 235-4251, email lindakl@centurytel.net.

May 14, field trip – Floods, Flowers, and Feathers Festival joins the Cheney Mayfest weekend this year with displays and activities in downtown Cheney as well as nature, wildlife and geology activities just south of town at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info: Preregister for some activities at fotnwr.org. Info: Sandy Rancourt, 235-4723.

Firecraft talk Tuesday

CAMPING – A program on firecraft will be presented Tuesday, 7 p.m. at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council building, 6116 N. Market St.