The Pacific Northwest's Top Bounty Hunter: Unveiling the Secrets of a $159,000 Fishing Adventure
'Michael Jordan' of Bounty Fishing Earns $159K in WA and OR
In the world of fishing, some individuals stand out for their exceptional skills and dedication. One such individual, who has earned the nickname 'Michael Jordan' of pikeminnow fishing, has recently made headlines for his remarkable achievement in the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program. This program, which aims to control the population of predatory northern pikeminnows in the Columbia and Snake rivers, offers bounties to anglers who catch and turn in their catch.
The top earner for 2025, who wishes to remain anonymous, caught an impressive 15,715 pikeminnows, earning him a total of $159,310. This amount is the second highest ever paid to a participant in the program, coming close to the record of just over $164,000 paid to a single angler last year.
But how did this angler become the top bounty hunter? Let's delve into the techniques and strategies that led to his success.
The Art of Pikeminnow Fishing
The rewards program does not reveal the names of its top annual earners, but the program manager, Eric Winther, shared some insights into the techniques of the 2025 leader. For starters, he works hard at catching pikeminnows. He spends a lot of time fishing, living on his boat for the five months of the season, Winther said. Having a boat is not necessary to participate in the program, but it helps to locate the high numbers of pikeminnows needed to bring home big reward money.
'Pikeminnow are easy to catch but hard to find consistently,' Winther said. The top earner has been fishing for pikeminnow for 25 years and keeping meticulous records on variables like the water temperature, water level, wind, and barometric pressure. He’s a pipefitter by trade and has modified his boat to be the Batmobile of pikeminnow fishing, Winther said. Improvements include night lighting, a solar charger, extra batteries, and an electric trolling motor to save the time required to use an anchor.
Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. The program pays $6 for the first 25 fish, then $8 for each fish up to 200 and $10 per fish after that. Oregon uses internal tags that are worth $200 to anglers and Washington has $500 external tags on select fish. The top earner did not catch any pikeminnow with the external tag, but caught several with the internal tags.
The Impact of the Program
The Bonneville Power Association pays the bounties to help offset the impact of hydroelectric dams on salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers. Pikeminnows are voracious eaters of juvenile salmon and steelhead, eating millions in the Columbia and Snake rivers each year. The program pays $6 for the first 25 fish, then $8 for each fish up to 200 and $10 per fish after that. The goal is not to eradicate northern pikeminnows, which are native to the Northwest, but to remove some of the larger, predator-sized northern pikeminnows each year. That helps shift the population toward smaller pikeminnows, which consume fewer salmon and steelhead smolts.
More than 5.3 million predatory northern pikeminnows have been removed in the program’s 35-year history, with predation on juvenile salmonoids decreasing by an estimated 40% compared to pre-program levels.
The Future of the Program
In 2025, 12,625 anglers registered and turned in an average daily catch per angler of just under 12 pikeminnows. Winther is expecting a good season this year, because water levels in the rivers may be low. Officials with the pikeminnow reward program will have a booth at the Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show on January 23-25 at the HAPO Center in Pasco and will also hold seminars at the event. You can also learn more about the program, including rules and regulations, season dates, station times, and fishing tips at pikeminnow.org.
But here's where it gets controversial... The program has sparked debates about the ethical implications of bounty hunting and the potential impact on the ecosystem. Some argue that the program is necessary to protect salmon populations, while others question the long-term effects on the environment. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the program's approach? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
