Nice fish! But not trying to sound like an ass and ruin your experience, we should all really consider throwing the big girls back. (anything over 28-30 inches and about 8 pounds) Keep all the little ones your heart desires, but those big ones are the ones we want spawning, not the little guys. Plus, those bigger fish help keep the smaller fish population in check by eating them. Anyways, enough of my rant and hell of a fish there.

Unless females aren't carring any eggs this time of year and have very firm milt sacs this fish was a male.

Nice fish and thanks for sharing your technique. I say keep what you feel like keeping as long as it is legal to do so. I'm not all that hot on having these fish in a river that connects with the Columbia anyway, too bad we can't catch and "neuter/spay" these fish before releasing them.

G-Man, These fish have been in Long Lake (which has better access to the Columbia) for approx. 20 years and we have not had a problem in the Columbia river yet. The same problem they have in Long, they would also have in the Columbia. Way too much Water fluctuation. That water drops so much every Spring that those eggs would all be left high and dry.

Hell of a fish, nice job and congrats!

Nice fish, let us know how it fillet up. I've been wanting to eat one. Fish On!

Had to get a you tube vidio on how to clean a pike. My dad used to do it for me. I think they are great mybe better than walleye

Mike nice fish, would have liked to see that big fish go back though. We have such a large number of 24-25" fish on the river hopefully people will start keeping them and returning the big fish. I cleaned small fish last week that were full of eggs still. My experience has been those big fish are tougher and fishier tasting. In order for everyone to catch 20lb fish we all have to release the bigger ones please, otherwise how can we ever get a trophy fishery up there. The Pike are a great eating fish and once you learn to Y bone them its alot easier and more fun. So eat all the small fish you can. Still congrats on a very nice fish...

I can my pike! It is the best. I make chowder and sandwich spred out of it and some I do fillet and fry/BBQ. Nice fish!!!!! I fish up there from time to time in the summer but this time of year I am plumking for Sturgeon on most of my free time.

qball59 Great fish ! This time of year the big ones will take a hit on bait. Picture is nice then a release. Lots of smaller pike and better eaten ! Just like walleyes are ! IF new state recorded then go for it. Enough big pike are being gill netted already ! Pike looks like it has spawn out already.

WOW ! I never expected so many comments on this fish. I do realize the need to release large spawning females but again this fish was a male, milt in the bottom of the boat and large milt sacs inside proved that, I also belive its up to the fisherman on what to keep. This is my first large pike and I wanted my family to see it and my camera was at home and this fish was very good eating.

Mike ! Don't let me burst your bubble. Its a great fish, I hope you enjoy it. Lots of fisherman are not happy about the gill netting going on at this time. Don't mean to sound so negative. Go out and have fun. Good luck to you friend.

Nice catch my buddy and I were up there last week with his son and took home 2 nice sized pike alot of bobber take downs and a great day . Met a really nice guy up there that is a guide and got some good info from him.

and also does anyone know about any catfish in the river????

theres bullhead but no channel cat that i know of or that I've seen in the gill net studies

NICE FISH Mike! Reminds me of back in MI (check out my profile pic). Those big boys eat up just as good as the 25"-27" fish do, and don't let anyone give you grief for keeping a large fish or two. There's a reason they're legal and to each his own.