This is not the first PIKE I have heard of being caught in Newman.craig dowdy wrote:Melodie Dowdy caught a 26" Tiger that wasn't a legal fish in the tournament but still a Tiger, she also caught a 26" Pike. .......
Here is a lil bit of additional info you may be interested in.
**COPPIED FROM ANOTHER POST**
There is quite a bit of info to decipher. But i will say that they pike that are in the Pend O'Reille are there to stay. As you know they were not planted by the WDFW. Some how they got there. Its probable that they originally came from Eastern Montana..East of the Continental Divide where they are native and where brought over from what i remember back in 2004. Put into the Pend and a few other lakes in Idaho and have been showing up in a few other lakes on the eastside of the State of Washington. They are not wanted there. But they are in the Pend O' Reille and they are going to stay there. Their expanding numbers are amazing. The WDFW and the Kalispan Tribe are working together to try to figure out if there will be a size or bag limit on these pike.
Here are the survey numbers that were shown to us at our CMA Meeting...
2004
EF ST (Electronic) 126
Gill Net 56
F.Net 64
N.Pike caught 26
2009
EF (Electronic) ST 62
Gill Net 33
FN Sets 15
274 Pike caught
2010
60 Gill Nets set over 25 miles of the river
755 Pike gil netted
So the pike population has been growing. There are thousands of pike in the river system.The fish taken are a very small number compared to the overall population. And it will help the biologists understand in the future where the species may be headed.
With the numbers that have been counted so far there probably will not be a limit set on the species. Like i said the WDFW doesnt want them in there but they will not remove them.It would be difficult to erradicate the species completely. So with that being said if fishermen are smart about this fishery and want it to become a trophy species only the fishermen can make that happen. By 1.) Taking the smaller fish..say the 18-24 inch "Hammer Handle" sized pike for eating and 2.) releasing the bigger fish say 36"-40" breeder fish. Plus releasing those fish also will help control the smaller Pike.And that can help establish a better Pike fishery for those who are into it for the sport of it.
There was a pike caught in Newman Lake earlier in the year. That fish should have been kept. If there are Pike in Newman that would be a problem. If there is 1 there may now be more. I have fished Newman before and have noticed a big change in the fishery there.The forage for the Tigers is not what is was once before. In my opinion if the pike are there and eating those fish then its possible that the Tiger fishery may only be there for a short time. So know your fish..if you catch a Pike in Newman take it.And let some one at the WDFW know. I dont know if folks knew this or not but a few of the lakes were illegal bucket biologist planted. They include Hayden Lake and Coure De Alene in Idaho. In Washington State, Box Canyon Reservoir, Long Lake. They got into Long Lake through the Spokane river System and now possibly in Newman by some other bucket illegal dumping.
This is a brief overview of what we learned and what the WDFW and the KNDR know as of now. I would recommend asking smart questions of those folks. And it would be great if all of the fishermen keep in contact with the biologists. Give the KNDR good accurate numbers when they ask for creel counts.And the WDFW too. If folks really want to keep this fishery healthy,strong and fun for all then those who fish them try to be a positve contributor. Take only what you need and try to release the bigger fish. I am o.k with folks taking the fish just dont be gluttons. This can be a good fishery for food and great for fun. Some of the info is my opinion. Most of this info are the FACTS!! Given by Bruce Bolding, Warm Water Head Biologist of the WDFW..And all around great guy! Hope this helps..
Todd Reis
VP/Membership Director
Cascade Musky Association
Auburn Sports & Marine Musky Team Prostaff
