Tribes And State Combatting Spread Of Invasive Fish

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Wildlife managers from tribal, state and local governments are joining forces at Lake Roosevelt this week to combat the spread of northern pike.

The Colville, Spokane and Kalispel tribes are working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and public utility districts in Chelan and Grant counties to catch northern pike in the largest suppression event of its kind.

Northern pike is a prohibited invasive species that preys on fish such as trout, salmon and steelhead.

Since being illegally introduced in the 1990s, the species has spread down the Pend Oreille River into Lake Roosevelt. Moving down the Columbia River would put billions of dollars in salmon and steelhead recovery investments and fisheries at risk.

Anglers who catch northern pike can turn them in for a $10-a-head bounty.