I wonder what those little jumping buggers were? They looked to be about 1 lb or so. Is there a small variety of carp, or maybe a whitefish or something like that in Palmer? The Squawfish isn't what you'd call a good looking fish, is it? Carp, too. But I gotta say, one of the best battles I've ever had was a Carp (est. ~8 lbs) on a splitshot rig. Hey, that was in one of WBC's favorite fishing holes on Banks, too.   

C&R, Steve

Beyond a doubt they were squawfish.  Looked exactly like the picture.  Caught a bunch all along the opposite side of the road  - all on crankbaits (fall fishing).  Biggest was about 4 lbs.

Glenn, are you sure those were Squawfish in Palmer? I have seen some sort of fish with a pronounced < tail, but haven't caught any. Lucky me! The tail doesn't look like the picture at the link Chris posted, anyway. Mostly, they seem to be over by the road along the East shoreline. I don't recall them looking like carp, weren't all that large, either. I'm used to carp and squawfish being 5+ lbs.  or you don't ever see them, ya know? We speculated that they must come from the egg at about that size.  I recall asking a local if they knew what these were, and they said they were a type of carp, if I remember right. The jumping and stuff is more carp-like. I count my angling trip a success if I don't catch a Squawfish, Carp or Perch.

C&R, Steve the Bass Bigot

Curtis,

Here is a link to a little blurb and picture of a squawfish (northern pikeminnow):

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recinfo/fishing/fishspecies/northernpikemi...

Here is the link to the reward fishery on the Columbia River:

http://www.pikeminnow.org

Chris

Just read back a few messages in this string Curt....and as for Sarge..."Cant we all just get along?........"

what is squawfish

Ray,

I am the King of Squawfish in Lake Washington!  If you ever want to know where and when, bring a map of the lake to the meeting and I'll put you on them!

Hey dudes,

I didn't call anyone on the site old school! You bunch of old geezers...  I was saying that the enforcement officer was probably basing his opinion on old information.

I think most folks know that I just like stirring the pot, but my main point is that what a fish does in the Columbia River may not be the same in Lake Washington. We should respect all different types of fish. I believe it was a squawfish that said, "Can't we all just get along"?

Ok - that's a little corny. Time to stop.

As you were, Smitty.

Chris

Palmer Lake is loaded with sqawfish, although not as many as before after I got through fishing it.   The Eagles were well fed, tho! 

Old school Doug here,
I hold Chris as one of my heroes in the fish knowledge world, but I have to part ways with him on this issue.  I won't pretend to try and understand the appreciation for this fish.  Unfortunately I may have purpetuated the squawfish myths by teaching my son the joys fisheye gouging on squawfish.  From now on, I will only be releasing my squawfish in the presences or reach of large flying birds or small domesticated felines.

OOOHHHHH!!!  I think someone just called someone else Old . . . school.   

In any case, catching them and whacking (or not whacking) them is still catching something that pulls up heavier than what you put in the water.  I may do this sometime over the week.

If headlines read next week that "a Middle-aged, but ravishingly handsome Filipino fisherman was mobbed by other less attractive fishermen for beating up their catches", you'll know the story behind the story.

Again, great info and many stands on the soap box!!

Opinions.  Lies about the size of Fish we catch.  That's what this Club is all about.   

VIVA LA WBC!!

No respect for the mighty squaw-dad.



I have the utmost respect for game wardens, but in this case I believe his advice was not good. That kind of advice is working off old-school beliefs...

Chris

Squaw fish are eagle food!  (Sorry Sarge, I'm showing my prejudice!  Besides, I had a fishery game warden tell me 5 years ago to wack on the head, not to let them go... what's with that?)

Squawfish don't fight very well or very long. Not much sport to it. About like a Walleye, come to think of it. Carp would be a much better target fish for sport fishing. I always remove the hooks in the water, on the open water side of the boat, if you get my drift. It makes the Bald Eagles happy. Save a Salmon, feed an Eagle.

C&R, Steve

LOL, at all of you!  Good one, Rich.