Squawfish or pikeminnows are cyprinid fish of the genus Ptychocheilus consisting of four species native to western North America. Voracious predators, they are considered an "undesirable" species in many waters. This is largely due to the species' perceived tendency to prey upon small trout and salmon. "Squawfish" is their traditional name. In 1999, the American Fisheries Society adopted "pikeminnow" as the name it recommends, because some Native Americans considered "squawfish" offensive.[1]
The northern pikeminnow, or Columbia River dace, Ptychocheilus oregonensis, is a large member of the minnow family, Cyprinidae. Until 1999, when the American Fisheries Society officially changed the common name to pikeminnow, the four species of this genus were known as squawfish.[1] Female northern pikeminnow reach sexual maturity at about six years, males in three to five. They can live longer than 15 years, reaching over 24 inches and eight pounds. The current world record weight for the squawfish is 13½ pounds and is held by Christopher Borger and Michael Ray of Edmonton, Alberta. A mature female can lay 30,000 eggs annually. Pikeminnow are voracious predators, and in the Columbia River and Snake River salmon smolts comprise a large part of their diet. Their population has flourished with the development of the Columbia River Hydro-power System. The reservoirs have provided excellent habitat for pikeminnow and given them an advantage over depressed salmon and steelhead populations. While historically pikeminnow have not been of interest commercially nor to sport anglers, Washington and Oregon state fisheries agencies and the Bonneville Power Administration have placed a bounty (reward) on them in order to reduce predation on scarce salmon stocks. A sport fishery has developed based on that bounty.
The Colorado pikeminnow, P. lucius, is the largest member of the genus, averaging 4 to 9 pounds (2 to 4 kg) in adult fish with occasional specimens up to 25 pounds (11 kg). There are historical and anecdotal reports of Colorado pikeminnows nearing 6 feet (1.8 m) in length and 80 pounds (36 kg) in weight. The species is near extinction in its native Colorado River basin habitat, due to extensive habitat destruction.
Colorado Pikeminnow
Northern Pikeminnow
