Chelatna Lake Pike Suppression

This project removed invasive northern pike from Chelatna Lake using variable-mesh gill nets and hoop traps in the spring of 2018 and 2019 to reduce pike predation during the salmon smolt migration period.

This project will benefit sockeye, Chinook, coho, chum, and pink salmon as well as other resident fish species in Chelatna Lake by reducing predation by invasive northern pike. Increased salmon runs into Chelatna Lake will also benefit terrestrial species (e.g., brown bear), avian species (e.g., bald eagle, glaucous gull, Arctic tern), and marine mammal species (e.g., harbor seal, beluga whale) that feed on salmon and will increase the transfer of marine-derived nutrients through decaying salmon carcasses to further boost the productivity of the Chelatna Lake ecosystem.