Northern pike invaders

In a cavernous, and cold, warehouse in Airway Heights a circle of Spokane Tribal fish biologists encircled a large, vicious-looking fish Tuesday.

Section:Gallery

Thu., Nov. 15, 2018

Tamara Knudson removes the otolith from a massive Northern Pike the Spokane Tribe caught in Lake Roosevelt during the week of Nov. 5, 2018. The pike was 45 inches long and weighed 27.5 pounds. The otolith, a small bone in the fish's ear, will allow biologists to determine the age of the pike and where it was born.
The razor-teeth of a Northern Pike caught by the Spokane Tribe are shown off on Nov. 13, 2018. ELI FRANCOVICH/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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Biologists with the Spokane Tribe watch as Jordyn Matherly cuts into a 45-inch, 27.5 pound Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt. The predatory fish are making their way down the Columbia River system and pose a threat to other fish including salmon. ELI FRANCOVICH/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW.

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Jordyn Matherly cuts into a 45-inch, 27.5 pound Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt while Kaitlin Thurman takes a photo with her cell phone. ELI FRANCOVICH/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW.

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Kaitlin Thurman, a fish biologist with the Spokane Tribe, walks by a 45 inch and 27.5 pound Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt during the week of Nov. 4, 2018.
A 31 inch, 10 pound Northern Pike is displayed next to a 16-inch rainbow trout found in the Pike's stomach by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists on Lake Roosevelt on Nov. 7, 2018.

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Jordyn Matherly holds a 45-inch, 27.5 pound Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt last week.

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Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt last week during a week-long gilnetting effort.

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Jordyn Matherly holds a 45-inch, 27.5 pound Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt last week.

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A 45-inch, 27.5 pound Northern Pike caught in Lake Roosevelt last week sits on display.

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