Among us, there are those that are on a vengeance to eliminate the Pike population in local streams, lakes, and ponds in which reportedly contain trout. However, no evidence of such a specie has ever been presented to substantiate this claim by the claimants. I do suppose they may well exist or the Department of Fish and Game would not have wasted their time in publishing regulations pertaining to these lakes, streams and ponds. However, countless hours have been spent fishing and netting these bodies of waters to capture the specimens for further study in a controlled laboratory environment. The first discover revealed is that the Pike will not live in tepid chlorine water. Consequently, no further testing was conducted. However, there lurks a much greater danger to our salmon and trout populations than the Pike, which are resident species and well populated throughout the state. The new threat to our salmon and trout, is an illegal alien and has just now appeared in Alaska. The Alaska Department Fish and Game issued a warning today pertaining to this new threat of the security of our salmon and trout. Since July 9th, three Red Swamp Crawfish have been found in or near the lower Kenai River. Two of those found were near the Warren Ames Bridge and the third was found approximately five miles north of the mouth of the Kenai River.
Crawfish are not naturally found in Alaska. The Red Swamp Crawfish is native to south central United States, however this specie has proven to survive in much colder northern states as well as in countries such as Sweden and Germany. The Red Swamp Crawfish can change the aquatic plant community that provides shade and protection for juvenile trout and salmon. It can also out-compete trout and salmon for aquatic insects and other invertebrates used for food. Consequently, they may have a negative impact on Alaska's fish stocks.
If you find a Crawfish, the department asks that you catch it, freeze it if it's alive, note the date and location and report it to your nearest Fish and Game office.
Protect Alaska's Waters, Capture A Crawfish And Feed It To A Pike!
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