Bill Saunders, a Washington-based waterfowl call maker and serious walleye hunter, recently learned that one man’s “embarrassing” catch is another man’s world record. According to a recent Outdoor Life article, while casting for walleye at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Saunders hooked into something he thought was a decent 8-pounder.
It wasn’t until the fish was in the net that the plot thickened: The “walleye” had no teeth.
Instead of a trophy walleye, Saunders had landed a massive Northern Pikeminnow. Initially, Saunders was hesitant to claim the fame—likening the experience to riding a moped: “They’re fun all right, until your friends see you on one.” Despite the initial blow to his walleye-pro ego, his wife and fishing partner convinced him to make it official. The stats are impressive:
- Weight: 8.6 lbs (poised to crush the 2008 world record of 7 lbs 14 oz).
- Length: 25.25 inches.
- Age: Estimated at 19 years old.
While Saunders donated his record-breaker to the state for educational display, most anglers target pikeminnows for a different reason: cold, hard cash.
- The Bounty: Because pikeminnows feast on endangered baby salmon and steelhead, the Bonneville Power Administration actually pays people to catch and kill them.
- The Payday: This isn’t just pocket change. In 2024, the top pikeminnow hunter hauled in a staggering $164,200 for removing over 16,000 fish.
So, while it wasn’t the walleye Saunders was looking for, he walked away with a state record, a pending world record, and a newfound respect for a fish that’s usually just a high-priced pest. You just never know what will be on the end of your line!
Photo courtesy Bill Saunders