Contact Information

Stop the Spread of Invasive Northern Pike

How To Identify Northern Pike

• Yellow bean-shaped spots
• Yellow-green to gray-green body
• Rounded tail fork
• Scales on cheeks and upper half of gill cover
• 4 to 5 jaw pores

Do not move live Northern Pike

The penalty for moving live Northern Pike includes up to a $5,000 fine and a year in prison (RCW 77.15.250). A person found guilty can also be ordered to pay all costs of capturing, controlling or killing those fish or their progeny (in excess of $100,000).

If you see someone transporting or releasing live fish, please call the Washington State Patrol.

If caught DO NOT RELEASE

Northern Pike are a prohibited species in Washington state. Anglers should kill ALL Northern Pike they catch. Harvested Northern Pike must be dead before anglers leave the water where they are caught.

How To Report

Take detailed photos, record the location and report a sighting.

Phone: 1.888.WDFW.AIS (1.888.933.9247)
Online: invasivespecies.wa.gov
App: WA invasives

Get The Lead Out

Lead is a toxic metal that has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of animals. Commonly found in fishing weights and lures, this metal is poisoning wildlife such as loons and eagles.

Many anglers are now using fishing tackle made from non-toxic materials such as tin, bismuth, steel, and tungsten. As lead alternatives are becoming more available, WDFW encourages anglers to try them to help protect our fish, wildlife, and fragile ecosystems.

Non-toxic alternatives:

Tungsten, bismuth, steel, tin, glass, stone, metal composite

WDFW Enforcement

For non-emergency violations/poaching: Call WDFW toll-free 1-877-933-9847 (1-877-WDFW-TIP). See Statewide General Rulesfor more details.

To report commercial derelict fishing gear: Call toll-free (855) 542-3935

To report fish kills, oil or hazardous material spills, contact Department of Emergency Management: (800) 258-5990

Derelict Fishing Gear

Report lost or abandoned commercial nets or pots

There are no penalties associated with reporting lost commercial fishing gear.

The Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Project is a no-fault program. The goals are simply to remove lost and abandoned commercial gear, to help restore Puget Sound, to improve public safety, and to assist species recovery.

Nets are dangerous! Never attempt to remove them. Divers, stay a safe distance away.

Still Fishing After All These Years

Lost and abandoned commercial fishing gear continues to fish, impacting marine animals and destroying their habitat, entangling divers, and damaging propellers and rudders of boats.

What’s being done?

Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, NGOs, and grassroots organizations and individuals are collaborating to protect and restore Washington marine resources by locating and removing harmful commercial derelict fishing gear.

How can you help?

Record as much information as you can when you find commercial derelict gear, including:

• Date of sighting
• Type of gear
• Approximate water depth
• General location
• Latitude (example 48.34333)
• Longitude (example -123.00333)

You can report this information to:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

(Toll Free) 855-542-3935

Northwest Straits Marine Conservative Initiative

360-733-1725 or go to

https://nwstraitsfoundation.org/derelict-gear