The answer's in the article:
"In those states [in its native range], pike co-exist with smallmouth
bass, walleye and muskie and provide a popular fishery."
In other words, there are always plenty of big predatory fish that can eat
young and small pike, keeping the population in check. There are no such
predators in California reservoirs, so the pike sits on top alone.
When northern pike and muskellenge occur together, northern pikes hatch 2
weeks earlier, grow faster, and feed on the musku fry.
Chris Scharpf
Baltimore
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