1968 Montana shrimp stocking led to salmon collapse and lost food for eagles and bears

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1. Wed, 19 August 2026

   1 report
   • Times of India19:44first to report
     1968 Montana shrimp stocking led to salmon collapse and lost food for eagles and bears

     In 1968, the introduction of opossum shrimp into Montana's lakes triggered a dramatic decline in the kokanee salmon population. The shrimp fiercely competed with young salmon for essential zooplankton, resulting in a disarrayed food chain. Meanwhile, the lake trout population thrived as they turned to the remaining salmon for sustenance. This shift irrevocably changed Flathead Lake's ecological landscape and impacted its indigenous fish communities.