The Northern pikeminnow, Columbia River dace or colloquially Squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) is a large member of the minnow family, Leuciscidae.

[2] A good deal of concern has been expressed regarding the impact northern pikeminnow populations may have on salmon in Columbia and Snake River impoundments.

Pikeminnow are adept predators, and in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, salmon smolts comprise a large part of their diets.

[8] While historically northern pikeminnow have not been of interest commercially nor to sport anglers, Washington and Oregon state fisheries agencies and the Bonneville Power Administration have placed a bounty[9] on them to reduce predation on scarce salmon stocks.

The current International Game Fish Association all tackle world record for northern pikeminnow is 7 lb 14 oz (3.6 kg) from the Snake River near Almota, Washington.