1968 Montana Shrimp Introduction Caused Salmon Collapse and Ecosystem Disruption
In 1968, opossum shrimp were introduced into Montana's lakes, setting off a chain of unintended ecological consequences. The shrimp competed aggressively with juvenile kokanee salmon for zooplankton, drastically reducing the salmon population. With salmon numbers falling, lake trout adapted by preying on the remaining fish, allowing their population to grow. This shift fundamentally altered the food web at Flathead Lake, affecting wildlife such as eagles and bears that depended on salmon. The episode stands as a cautionary example of how non-native species introductions can irreversibly reshape local ecosystems.
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