The sixth annual Rogue River Pikeminnow Roundup begins Sept. 1 – Sept. 21.
Anglers compete for prizes including fishing rods, gear and apparel, gift cards, and more. Only pikeminnow caught in the Rogue are eligible for the contest.
The contest has four entry options for Youth (under 12), Teen (12-17) and Adult (18+):
Random raffle: submit photo of a day's catch of pikeminnow to RoguePikeminnowRoundup@gmail.com along with harvest location, Oregon Angler ID number, and contact information (phone or email).
Largest pikeminnow: those who can't visit a check station can send a photo of their largest fish to RoguePikeminnowRoundup@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 21. The fish must be measured from above and the total length must be clearly visible. Fish will be measured to the nearest one-quarter inch.
Largest five-fish bag: participants can turn in the largest five pikeminnow caught. Fish will be measured to total length and added together. Email entries to RoguePikeminnowRoundup@gmail.com will also be accepted in an unedited video no longer than 30 seconds where fish are clearly measured with the total measurement visible.
Most pounds of pikeminnow: fish can be turned in frozen or fresh (rotting fish not accepted). Most pounds of fish turned in over the contest's dates win this category.
Participants can check their harvest in from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sept. 21 at two locations:
Griffin County Park's gravel bar, 500 Griffin Road, Grants Pass.
Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center,11845 Lower River Rd, Grants Pass.
Participants can also drop off their harvest starting Sept. 3 at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office,1495 E Gregory Rd, Central Point. Roundup winners will be notified by Sept. 30 via the contact information provided in their entries. Prizes not claimed by Oct. 7 will be raffled off to other participants. Rules and winners are also be posted on the Rogue Pikeminnow Roundup website. Pikeminnow carcasses are donated to Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center.
Umpqua pikeminnow are not native to the Rogue Basin and are affecting the area's native salmon. In 2019, ODFW and volunteers held the first Rogue Pikeminnow Roundup to increase awareness of introduced species and the harm that introduced fish, aquatic invertebrates, and vegetation can cause to native species. Increasing awareness of salmon and steelhead habitat needs (cold, clean water, and protected streamside vegetation) is also a project goal, and it addresses actions outlined in the Rogue Spring Chinook Plan and the Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and management plan.
ODFW thanks the many local volunteers, businesses (Blackbird Shopping Center, Sportsman's Warehouse, Bradburry's Gun and Tackle, Rogue Fly Shop) Josephine County Parks Department, and Wildlife Images for their support. Those interested in volunteering or donating prizes for anglers can contact the Rogue District STEP Biologist Monica Magdaleno at 541-857-2411 or monica.s.magdaleno@odfw.oregon.gov
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