Invasive northern pike threaten Washington salmon future

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

There is a rapidly growing threat to salmon in the Columbia River that biologists say could wipe out tens of millions of dollars in restoration efforts.

On the surface of Lake Roosevelt, it may look like a picture-perfect day. Underwater, the scenery is anything but perfect.

The Spokane Tribe built a boat to deal with the invasive predator lurking beneath the surface.

"Hit 'em hard. Hit 'em now. Hit 'em with all we got," said tribal Fisheries Manager Brent Nichols.

Nichols believes northern pike were brought here illegally, considered a fun sport fish to catch.

The tribe has been setting nets for years, trying to wipe out northern pike. But they just keep catching more.

"What happens is you see this explosion of the population size. So, we could go from 200 to 300 fish one year and three years later be looking at tens of thousands of fish in the same system," Nichols explained.

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/invasive-bat-eating-fish-threatens-washington-salmon-future/281-547805673

[SonofDonald]

1. I used to fish for them in Alaska

In the Wood River/Tikchik lake system, they get really big and are the top predator.

Bad news.

[longship]

2. Plus, they are bony as all Hell.

Not a good eating fish at all. Whenever I caught a Northern, I'd throw it back.

Plus, they are asshole fish. They eat anything and everything. They are all fucking mouth!!!

[SonofDonald]

4. Five guys on snow machines on a frozen river

A six inch ice auger, three feet of ice, couldn't get one through the hole it was so big.

But the locals like them so fish away...

I don't like bass, they taste like mud but are fun for catch n release.

[longship]

5. I've caught a Northern in N Ontario, above Lk Superior.

There, a keeper was 48" (at that time). I was in a Zodiac, an inflatable boat, with a 2 hp outboard. The damned thing swallowed my red devil lure. My buddy Al spread the pike's jaws while I pulled the lure out of its throat. Al broke into waves of laughter. After I cast the fish loose I asked him what was so funny. He said, "Your arm disappeared up to your elbow. If I had let go of its jaws, I was worried whether you'd get swallowed whole."

We then laughed together and opened another beer. The Walleyes and perch were yummy though. We threw the pike back.

That was decades ago.

[SonofDonald]

6. There was whiskey involved in our fishing expedition

We were heading to a cabin then off to hunt Caribou the next day, a local staple.

The Mulchatna herd was 300,000 animals strong then.

No more hunting for me, I will never kill another beautiful animal.

But I hauled in around 60 million pounds of pollock in my time on the Bering Sea.

Once upon a time.

[gibraltar72]

3. Northern pike are killing machines.

My dad for some reason loved fishing for Northerns in an old Marl pit behind our house. He would fish with minnows for bait and used a cane pole. Way to slow action for me. My memories they are not only voracious also sadistic. I can remember times they tormented a minnow 30 minutes before either striking or swimming away..

[NickB79]

7. My 7-yr old daughter caught a big northern last year in a river we fish here in Minnesota

She had a respectable bluegill sunny on her line (a kiddy Spongebob reel), was reeling it in, when that bastard came up and took the whole thing in one gulp. But we landed that northern, damn it!

Now she's always looking for the "great white northern" as she called it. She wants to catch more of them

[SonofDonald]

8. Good for her

Now she knows why we fish, caught the big one and got the fever for the next big one.