Freshwater · Late spring to fall; best May to September in warm water
Northern Pikeminnow
Ptychocheilus oregonensis
A large native minnow of the Fraser, Columbia and other Pacific-slope waters in BC and the Pacific Northwest. It is not an invasive species: derbies at Cultus and Lakelse lakes and the Columbia River sport-reward fishery trim numbers of large adults that eat salmon smolts — population control, never eradication. Most fish are released or turned in at derbies.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Long, pike-like body with a big duck-bill mouth reaching back under the eye
- Deeply forked tail and large, smooth scales
- Olive to silvery-green back fading to a pale belly
- Small eyes set in a long, flattened head
- Juveniles have a dark spot at the base of the tail
Habits
- Native predator that feeds heavily on salmon smolts and other small fish
- Hunts current seams, eddies and deep pools by day and evening
- Large adults hold station in slow water near drop-offs
- Juveniles school inshore over sand and gravel in summer
- Spawns in late spring over gravel in flowing water
Distribution
Where to find them
- Fraser River slow pools and backwater sloughs around the valley
- Cultus Lake and Lakelse Lake derby waters
- Columbia River pools and tailraces in the border country
Where they live
How to catch them
Casting spoons and spinners River
Rig: Medium spinning rod, small silver spoons or spinners worked through pools and current seams
Bait/lure: Small spoons, spinners
Key tip: Cast across slow pools and retrieve steadily — pikeminnow chase openly in warm summer water.
Bottom fishing with cut bait River
Rig: Sliding sinker rig with a chunk of fish or worm on a medium hook, fished in deep eddies
Bait/lure: Cut bait, worms
Key tip: Fish deep, slow eddies at dusk when large adults feed most boldly.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium 7 ft spinning rod
- Line: 8-12 lb mono or braid
- Terminal: Small spoons, medium hooks, sliding sinkers
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
7' medium-heavy casting or spinning rod
≈ US$100-160
Casts spoons and jerkbaits all day and drives hooks home in bony pike and muskie jaws.
Line & leader · Budget
30 lb braid with wire or 80 lb fluorocarbon leaders
≈ US$20-35
Pike teeth shear ordinary line on contact — a bite-proof leader is not optional.
Lures · Budget
Spoons, jerkbaits and jig-and-plastic combos
≈ US$25-40
Flash for pike, snap-jigged plastics for walleye — the two patterns that cover this whole group.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 12-18 in; large fish to about 24 in and 8 lb
On the table
Poor — soft and very bony; most are released or turned in at derbies rather than eaten.
Similar species
PeamouthPeamouth is much smaller with a tiny mouth, a small barbel at each corner and two dark lengthwise stripes; pikeminnow has a huge duck-bill mouth and no barbels
Northern PikeNorthern pike has light bean-shaped spots, cheek scales and lives in weedy still water; pikeminnow is a plain olive river minnow with a forked tail and no spotsRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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