ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A federal and state study of two Alaska salmon streams indicates that nonnative northern pike can eat significant numbers of salmon smolt and will thrive on other species even when the salmon population declines.

The study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game suggests that invasive pike and native salmon can co-exist in streams and rivers if their habitat does not overlap, but where they do, salmon recovery may depend on suppressing pike.

Recommended Stories

Pacific Northwest salmon at center of debate over controversial dam costs

Drought starting to kill salmon in Klamath Basin

California splits the salmon