Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) is a large predatory fish native to northern basins in the eastern United States. Muskellunge is a popular sport fish and has been stocked around the country to support recreational fishing. The history of invasiveness is high. There is a long history of deliberate introductions of E. masquinongy both within and outside of the native range of the species. Some of the introductions have resulted in established populations. A few sources state that E. masquinongy has had no or virtually no impact on native fish species. One source provided information that E. masquinongy caused a significant decline in yellow perch populations in two lakes where E. masquinongy was introduced. The overall climate match with the contiguous United States was high, both in its native range around the Great Lakes and it areas outside its native rage. Much of the eastern two-thirds of the contiguous United States had a high climate match. The certainty of assessment is medium because some studies indicated virtually no impact on native species. The overall risk assessment category is High.
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High Risk
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