Northern Pikeminnow
The Northern Pikeminnow is a large freshwater fish native to the Pacific drainages of North America. Known for its elongated body and predatory nature, this species thrives in lakes and rivers, feeding primarily on other fish and aquatic insects. Although it’s not highly regarded as a food fish, it plays an important role in controlling fish populations in its habitat.
Length~22 (max 89)
Weight~1 (max 7)
WaterFresh
Water Temp12-18° F
- Other namesColumbia River dace, Squawfish
- Length~22 (max 89)
- Weight~1 (max 7)
- WaterFresh
- Water Temp12-18° F
Popular lures for Northern Pikeminnow
Regulation for Northern Pikeminnow
- Season-
- Bag limit-
- Vessel limit-
- Trophy limits-
- Max size-
- Min size-
- Measurement-
- Prohibited methods-
Living Conditions
🐟 Habitat preferences
- Northern Pikeminnows prefer lakes and pools within large rivers, often staying in deeper waters
- They are opportunistic feeders, preying on smaller fish, insects, and crustaceans
- These fish are commonly found near the shore during their juvenile stage, while adults move to deeper areas
- They are adaptable to different freshwater environments but require clean, oxygen-rich waters
♻️ Life cycle and mating behavior
- During spawning, females are surrounded by several males, and eggs are released in gravelly areas near the bottom
- Spawning occurs in late spring to early summer when water temperatures rise
- After hatching, juveniles remain in shallow waters, feeding on plankton and insects before moving to deeper waters
- Northern Pikeminnows reach maturity in a few years, with their predatory behavior becoming more pronounced as they grow