PORTLAND, Ore. – State and federal agencies are extending the season for the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program on the Columbia and Snake rivers until Oct. 11. They are also boosting the per-fish reward amounts for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Effective Sept. 19, the reward for all eligible northern pikeminnow will increase from the $5 to $8 range, to $10 per fish - regardless of how many northern pikeminnow an angler catches. The reward for verified specially-tagged northern pikeminnow will also temporarily increase from $500 to $1,000 per fish.

The program’s goal is to encourage more anglers to participate by harvesting predator-sized northern pikeminnow this fall, which will help protect more young salmon and steelhead from predation next spring.

“Large northern pikeminnow are responsible for eating a majority of the young salmon and steelhead who fall victim to predators,” says Eric McOmie, a BPA program manager. “Reducing the number of large pikeminnow can really help young salmon survive.”

For 30 years the Bonneville Power Administration has funded the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program, paying anglers to remove northern pikeminnow from the Columbia and Snake rivers and protecting endangered juvenile salmon and steelhead. The program’s goal is not to eliminate native northern pikeminnow but reduce the average size and number of the predatory fish.

The 11-day extension offsets the delay at the start of the season in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also appears the pandemic may have discouraged some anglers from participating in the sport-reward fishery, as the number of anglers is down 28% from this time last year. Currently, the 2020 harvest of northern pikeminnow is on track to be the lowest on record.

According to recent data, anglers are catching more northern pikeminnow now than any other time of the season, but fewer people are participating in the program. Average harvest for the past 29 years is approximately 174,000 fish. Last year, anglers removed approximately 146,000 northern pikeminnow from the Columbia and Snake rivers. So far this year, that number is just over 88,000.

Nearly anyone can make money fishing for northern pikeminnow, and biologists say late summer and early fall can be one of the best times of the year to catch the salmon eaters. In 2019, the program paid out nearly $1.2 million to northern pikeminnow anglers, with the top fisherman making more than $53,000.

For more details on the season extension and reward increases, go to www.pikeminnow.org.

 About BPA

The Bonneville Power Administration, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a nonprofit federal power marketer that sells wholesale, carbon-free hydropower from 31 federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. It also markets the output of the region’s only nuclear plant. BPA delivers this power to more than 140 Northwest electric utilities, serving millions of consumers and businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage power lines and 261 substations, and provides transmission service to more than 300 customers. In all, BPA provides nearly a third of the power generated in the Northwest. To mitigate the impacts of the federal dams, BPA implements a fish and wildlife program that includes working with its partners to make the federal dams safer for fish passage. It also pursues cost-effective energy savings and operational solutions that help maintain safe, affordable, reliable electric power for the Northwest. www.bpa.gov

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Marion County, Ore. – On September 7, multiple fires along Highway 22 swept through the Fishermen’s Bend Recreation Site, destroying much of the popular BLM-managed campground.

Upon visiting the site, an American flag that had not been lowered upon evacuation was found proudly flying over the charred ground.

The much-loved Fishermen’s Bend Recreation Site just 30 minutes east of Salem featured dozens of campsites, well-groomed hiking trails, and tremendous river access, including a boat ramp, in the Cascade foothills.

Apart from the flag, “very little else remains at the recreation site,” according to Northwest District Manager Jose Linares.

To see more images of the remains of the Fishermen's Bend Recreation Site, visit BLM-OR/WA's Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50169152%40N06&view_all=1&text=Fire%20destroys%20Fishermen%27s%20Bend%20Recreation%20Site

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in the 11 Western states and Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

Tacoma, Wash. — Annie Wright Schools announced the promotion of Grace Finch, Director of Development, to serve on the schools’ Senior Leadership Team. Finch will continue in her existing position, assuming a new title and now reporting to Head of Schools Jake Guandola.

Finch joined Annie Wright Schools in 2016 as Philanthropy Director. She has more than ten years of experience in fundraising and event management, previously serving as the South Sound Fundraising Manager for the American Diabetes Association and Washington Chapter Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Finch earned a BA in Art History and Visual Culture Studies from Whitman College before returning to Tacoma where she worked at the Tacoma Art Museum prior to beginning her career in development. 

“Annie Wright Schools seek to establish a culture of philanthropy inclusive of all constituencies,” said Finch. “I am excited to implement programming that celebrates major gifts and planned giving alongside existing efforts to build the strength of annual giving and invite the support of our broader community through events like the annual Gator Gala auction.”

As Director of Development, Finch is responsible for all aspects of Annie Wright Schools’ philanthropy program including fundraising events; alumni, donor and parent relations; capital campaigns; Gators Give and All in for Annie, the schools’ annual giving programs; major gifts; and planned giving. As a member of Annie Wright’s Senior Leadership Team, Finch is committed to advancing Annie Wright’s mission and key characteristics and is collectively responsible for the daily operations, oversight, and leadership of the schools.
 

“The growth of our Senior Leadership Team reflects that of Annie Wright Schools,” shared Jake Guadnola, Head of Annie Wright Schools. “Promoting Grace’s strong experience and philanthropic perspective to our administrative team will serve AWS well. Now more than ever, fundraising and donor relations play a critical role in Annie Wright’s continued success as a nonprofit and premier educational institution.”

Founded in Tacoma, Washington, in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. Annie Wright Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School. Learn more at www.aw.org.

 

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