Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Tribes, state netting pike in Lake Roosevelt near Kettle River

An anglers says this unconfirmed photo shows two dozen northern pike stranded on dry ground in the Kettle River Arm of Lake Roosevelt during a March 2015 reservoir drawdown. (Courtesy)
An anglers says this unconfirmed photo shows two dozen northern pike stranded on dry ground in the Kettle River Arm of Lake Roosevelt during a March 2015 reservoir drawdown. (Courtesy)

FISHING -- Indian tribes and the state have moved ahead with gillnet surveys to get a handle on how well-established invasive northern pike have become in the upper reaches of Lake Roosevelt and the Columbia River.

The research stems from a spike in catches of non-native pike by sport fishermen this year.

Among the bad news the research has turned up so far in the Kettle River area:

  • At least three year-classes of northern pike have been found, which means they could be finding places to spawn and take hold.
  • Here's a video update by KING 5 TV.


Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

Follow Rich online:




Go to the full Outdoors page