provincial government is offering fisherman in southeastern B.C. a reward

[boxhitch]

The provincial government is offering fisherman in southeastern B.C. a reward if they catch pike in the hopes it will stop an influx of the invasive species to the region.

It's called the Pike Reward Reward Program.
"What we are asking people to do is bring the head of the pike they catch and kill on the Columbia into our Castlegar Front Counter office during regular hours," said Matt Neufield, a fish biologist with the province.
"We want to know a little bit about where pike are being caught and learn a bit more about distribution and angler catch."
Each pike head submitted to the program will earn fisherman one entry into a draw for four prizes of $500 retail credit at local sporting goods stores.
Neufeld says pike has become a growing problem over the past five years as they slowly make their way downstream from Montana, where they were illegally introduced about 40 years ago.
He says pike are very good predators who consume large numbers of fish every day, which threatens native species like rainbow trout, white fish and Kokanee.
The program is part of a larger pike control project along the Columbia river that began last year. While Neufeld says it is too early to gauge the full impact pike could have, it is essential to take preventative measures now.
"The light at the end of the tunnel is that we potentially have the ability to change course here and have a beneficial impact on the native fish population of the Columbia."
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[Amphibious]

If they're so concerned about Invasive species like Pike, Bass, Perch, Etc..... Why aren't we allowed to spear them? You wouldn't believe how many easy shots on invasive fish I pass on every dive. No Spearfishing at all in Region 4. WTF?

[Sofa King]

how the F are they "invasive"?
they are getting here naturally, just like the walleye in the columbia.
but typical BC, how dare there be other fish than rainbows.

[Sofa King]

If they're so concerned about Invasive species like Pike, Bass, Perch, Etc..... Why aren't we allowed to spear them? You wouldn't believe how many easy shots on invasive fish I pass on every dive. No Spearfishing at all in Region 4. WTF?
because the pencilpushers need work, they need to scribble down rules and regulations and redtape.
cant have things being all simple and making sense now.

[E.V.B.H.]

how the F are they "invasive"?
they are getting here naturally, just like the walleye in the columbia.
but typical BC, how dare there be other fish than rainbows.
How are pike getting into the water systems naturally? They're put there by people who want to catch pike and there won't be any rainbow after pike take hold.

[Sofa King]

how are the walleye ans sturgeon getting in there?
wouldnt the pike be the same?

[Gateholio]

If they're so concerned about Invasive species like Pike, Bass, Perch, Etc..... Why aren't we allowed to spear them? You wouldn't believe how many easy shots on invasive fish I pass on every dive. No Spearfishing at all in Region 4. WTF?

Sounds like it's a project for your local club to take to BCWF for a resolution. This could just be a leftover rule from the old days. Or ask your regional ministry office.

[Sofa King]

If they're so concerned about Invasive species like Pike, Bass, Perch, Etc..... Why aren't we allowed to spear them? You wouldn't believe how many easy shots on invasive fish I pass on every dive. No Spearfishing at all in Region 4. WTF?
what species do they let you spear?

[Sofa King]

where it is allowed, i meant?
im guessing just coarse fish?

[Stone Sheep Steve]

how are the walleye ans sturgeon getting in there?
wouldnt the pike be the same?

Both pike and walleye are not native to pacific drainages. Someone put them there....whether it was done by individuals or department of natural resources it doesn't matter. The states should not make decisions for us.

[oclarkii]

They are not getting there 'naturally'. They are the definition of 'invasive', there is nothing natural about their presence in the Columbia.
The pike originated from an illegal introduction in Montana, and made their way to the Columbia via the pend orielle. They are the worst kind of invasive - as aggressive as it gets. If left unchecked they are likely to have irreversible effects on the native species and those effects will be felt top to bottom. And the walleye got there the same way, just much earlier.
The sturgeon are native, obviously, and have been there for millennia. Hopefully we can keep them around.

[Liveforthehunt]

how the F are they "invasive"?
they are getting here naturally, just like the walleye in the columbia.
but typical BC, how dare there be other fish than rainbows.

Honestly before you open your yap about getting here naturally I suggest you do some research that consists of more than just the internet as said pike walleye as well as perch are not native. Call your local DFO before your rant about something your completely uneducated about.

[#49]

If you want to see pikes damage to a water system the have completely taken over the Spokane river.I don't understand how some people don't do a little research before they make comments about pike and walleye getting hear naturally.If the pike take hold and get by the dam at Castlegar and gets into the Arrow lakes who knows where they will end up'maybe Sofa King?

[boxhitch]

State and tribal fish managers are winning the battle against invasive northern pike on a section of the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington, but they don't expect to declare victory anytime soon.


For the fourth straight year, crews from the Kalispel Tribe Natural Resources Department will use gill nets to remove non-native pike from Box Canyon Reservoir and work with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor the results.

As in previous years, the netting operation will run five days per week through March and April, even though fish managers estimate they have already removed more than 90 percent of the northern pike from the reservoir.
http://www.cbbulletin.com/433285.aspx
These bulletins are a good read , its amazing how much more management there is south of the border.