How Come Sacramento Pikeminnow isn't a AOTY Species?

And I mean this in all seriousness.  Man these fish have a bad rap if you ask me.  They will hit flies, plastics, and lures.  They are a niche species and therefore must be specifically sought out.  I seriously think they should be added.  Of course I just found a honey hole full of them but that is besides the point. 

Anyone else enjoy fishing for them?  I am growing increasingly found targeting them on flies.


This bad boy was 18" and was a blast to fight in.  I saw him hit the fly on the dead drift.  Reminded me a lot of a redfish at this size!

I have been tagging them in Cache / Putah Creek systems and having a blast! 

It sure is fun fishing for them. Keeps you on your toes with any kind of current. Why not?

Well, they aren't a gamefish and nobody eats them. Plus, they don't need to be specifically sought because they'll hit anything. And they also fight like crap...they just wiggle back and forth like greenling, no runs and they'll only pull drag if you set it to 2lb pressure. But other than that, they are certainly widespread so most Norcal'rs would have some nearby.

I agree that they are a trash fish.  Not much challenge, and nobody eats them.  They do make great fertilizer in the compost pile though!  I would not like to include them in AOTY, unless any fish caught on hook and line is available for the scoring.

Suckers....seriously?


If we add this species at all the measurement should be how far you can chuck them into the forest from the waters edge you caught it from.

I enjoy catching ANY fish, and have caught tons of these things.  While the initial hit can be impressive, their tendency to cry uncle after two seconds and turn belly up doesn't give them much glamor.