The Impact of Squawfish on Salmonid Populations: A Review
- Authors
- Type
- Published Article
- Journal
- North American Journal of Fisheries Management
- Publisher
- Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
- Volume
- 1
- Pages
- 104–104
- Identifiers
- DOI: 10.1577/1548-8659(1981)1<104:TIOSOS>2.0.CO;2
- Source
- Center for Watershed Sciences John Muir Institute of the Environment
- License
- Unknown
Abstract
Examination of the available literature on the effects of squawfish (Ptychocheilus spp.) predation and competition on salmonid populations indicates that: (1) squawfish may prey extensively on young salmon in lakes, but there is little evidence that this predation has much impact on the number of returning adults; (2) squawfish do not appear to be significant predators of salmon and trout in streams except under highly localized, seasonal or unusual circumstances; and (3) there is little evidence to indicate that squawfish compete strongly with salmonids. Areas of research are suggested that would clarify the role of squawfish in regulating salmonid populations and elucidate their position in the aquatic ecosystems of western North America.