Click on the fish below for a detailed view.

Northern Pikeminnow
Ptychochelius oregonesis

The proper name for this fish is the northern pikeminnow, but people used to call it a squawfish. It is known to anglers as a very common, bony fish that does not make especially good eating.

What do northern pikeminnow look like?

The Latin name "Ptychochelius" means "folded lip." This fish does have a folded lip. Also, their heads are quite flattened, and they have a large mouth that goes right back to their eyes. Young squawfish can be hard to identify, but they have an obvious black spot in front of their tails.

Where do northern pikeminnow live?

Almost everywhere! They like shallow back channels, lake edges and drop-off zones, and slow rivers between the Pacific and Rocky Mountains, and they are one of the most numerous fish in the province.

What is the northern pikeminnow life cycle like?

These fish do not breed until they are six years old (fairly old for a fish), when they are around 30 centimeters long. They spawn in late spring, gathering around lake shores and streams. The females may spawn several times in a season laying up to 100,000 eggs during spring. Females are usually accompanied by males during breeding. Eggs hatch in about a week.

Food for Thought… Northern pikeminnow will eat just about anything, but when they get bigger, they are mostly "piscivorous." "Piscis" is a Latin word that means fish. So what do large squawfish mostly eat?

Did you know that … although they are not prized as sports fish, the northern pikeminnow is relatively easy to catch on a fly.