Species profile
Northern Pikeminnow
Ptychocheilus oregonensis
Identify Northern Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Northern Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 1,161 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Oregon, and Idaho the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Washington and Oregon pay anglers a cash reward for each northern pikeminnow caught in the Columbia River.
- They consume millions of juvenile salmon and steelhead smolts annually in the Columbia River system.
- Can grow to about 24 inches (60 cm) long and live up to 12 years.
- The Columbia River sport-reward program has removed over 4 million pikeminnow since launching in 1990.
- Native to the Columbia River basin, Fraser River, and other Pacific Northwest drainages.
Where Northern Pikeminnow are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Northern Pikeminnow
Background
The northern pikeminnow, or Columbia River dace (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) is a large member of the minnow family, Cyprinidae. Until 1999, when the American Fisheries Society officially changed the common name to pikeminnow, the four species of this genus were known as squawfish. Female northern pikeminnow reach sexual maturity at about six years, males in three to five. They can live longer…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Northern Pikeminnow article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern Pikeminnow?
Northern Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Northern Pikeminnow?
Northern Pikeminnow is Ptychocheilus oregonensis.
Is Northern Pikeminnow regulated for fishing?
Yes — Northern Pikeminnow has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Northern Pikeminnow?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Northern Pikeminnow along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.