Soldotna Creek Northern Pike Eradication - Phase 1

In 2014, ADF&G successfully removed an invasive northern pike population from Area 1 of the project area (western branch of the Soldotna Creek drainage). This completed the first of two distinct project phases designed to remove northern pike from the entire Soldotna Creek drainage and restore native fish populations throughout. This was accomplished by treating the waters of Union Lake, West Mackey Lake, East Mackey Lake, Derks Lake and associated wetlands and streams with rotenone. In 2015, native fish previously extirpated from this lake system by northern pike predation were reintroduced (with funding from this project). The restored area includes 405 lake surface acres and about 1.66 miles of inter-lake streams (4.57 miles if lakes are are treated as stream miles).

This project uses PCSRF funds from both the 2008 and 2012 awards. No 2008 funds were spent past the grants end date of June 20, 2014.

This project will begin the process of eradicating northern pike from the Soldotna Creek drainage, a critical step toward the long-term goal of eradicating this invasive species from the entire Kenai Peninsula. Eradicating northern pike from Area 1 reduces the threat of pike colonizing the Moose River through expansion from Soldotna Creek and will begin the process of restoring and conserving salmon stocks throughout the Soldotna Creek drainage.