The Northern Pikeminnow Management Program (NPMP) is a basin-wide program to harvest northern pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis). It was started in 1991 in an effort to reduce predation by northern pikeminnow on juvenile salmonids during their emigration from natal streams to the ocean. Modeling studies in John Day reservoir in the 1980's indicated a 10-20% removal of predacious sized pikeminnows could cut predation by up to 50%. Over the years various gear types, both sport and commercial, were tested to determine the most expeditious means to remove 10-20% of the pikeminnows. The Sport Reward Fishery using sport anglers with hook and line was found to be the most effective. The NPMP is administered technically and fiscally by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) in cooperation with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Program evaluation, population indexing, tagging operations, and other predator response is studied and evaluated by ODFW. The Sport Reward Fishery is implemented by WDFW through manning Sport Reward Fishery registration stations, collecting and disposing of pikeminnows caught and issuance of reward vouchers. The PSMFC pays all rewards and assists WDFW in staffing the registration stations along with fiscal and technical services to the two state agencies.

This contract marks the beginning of an evaluation phase of program components.  Due to BiOp Direction and ISRP review, the program will begin re-evaluating the methodologies used to capture pikeminnow and evaluate program efficacy.