Northern Pikeminnow (squawfish)

The Norhern Pikeminnow is generally considered a non-game fish here in Idaho. Primarily because the fish has so many bones that it is tough to eat the flesh. Some folks report that Pikeminnows can be tasty smoked. And there is no limit here in Idaho so catch a bunch and smoke them up. Let us know how they tasted. I have never eaten one, mainly because they just don't look too good. Kind of like a sucker. I have never eaten a sucker either.

We include the Pikeminnow here because it is so common in the lakes we fish here that it is good to be able to identify the species. And it does provide good fish catching action, rather than just fishing action.

The northern pikeminnow has a dark green or green-brown back, and a white/cream abdomen. The head is relatively long, approximately 22% to 23% of the total length. The eyes of adults are small. Its tail is distinctly forked. The fins are clear, however males display yellow/orange lower fins during spawning periods. Mature individuals generally have a rounded belly. Average size ranges between 12" to 24" or two to four pounds. However sizes up to 25 pounds have been recorded, and are generally found in large lakes.

Squawfish are generally scavengers, and their diet ranges from small insects to large shiners. Young individuals will feed on insects until they grow larger. Fish that are in the middle size range will feed on plankton and small fish such as salmonoid fries and shiners. Large Northern Pikeminnows will primarily feed on fish. During the salmon spawning season, they will also feed on eggs.

I have caught squawfish on worms and marshmallow fished near the bottom. Trolling has produced some large minnows using trout pop gear and lures.

At mid lake on Lucky Peak Reservoir the squawfishing is steady all day long. A worm and marshmallow will produce action as long as you can stand to pull them in. They feed mainly on the smooth mud bottom of Lucky Peak. If you want to give a kid fishing action the Pikeminnow is a good way to go. You'll need a boat to get to midlake at Lucky Peak.

Also fishing Cascade Reservoir near the inlets will produce great action. This is where the biggest Pikes hang out. They can really put up a fight. I have caught 3 or 4 pounders there next to the inlet. Now the IDFG is trying to eliminate the minnows so the fishing may not be so good. But hey, the Perch will come back!

Fishguy