They Found Snakehead 2024

Bassguytom reply :

So the local lake I fish here in PA has been confirmed to hold snakehead. Is really bad news for the bass fishing in this lake. From what I have read they soon take over a lake and push out all the native fish. I'm thinking this is really bad for this fishery. Can these things be controlled?

flyfisher reply :

All the places I know that hold snakehead have shown that they can live with the bass. I would also guess that being up in bucks county (I grew up there myself) that there are only certain species of snakehead that can handle the cold weather.

I wouldn't worry to much and just fish....I know people who have caught largemouth and a snakehead off the same downed tree.

Hyrule Bass reply :

apparently they havent affected the bass fishing in the potomac river. them in a lake might be an entirely different thing though, i have no idea the effect in that case...

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

I'm assuming that they're northern snakehead (channa argus) if in PA.

Snakehead and bass can coexist with little negative impact on either species. They both eat each others young, and have similar diets as adults. It's not good that the snakeheads are proliferating like they are, but much of the media hype is just that (hype.) They are only fish and far less destructive than grass carp, for instance. They make great table fare too.

Here on the Potomac we are more negatively impacted by the presence of the blue and flathead catfish than we are the snakehead. There are numerous factors that come into play (like water quality, etc.) but the bass fishing has been better here on the Potomac than it has in many years... and this is after the introduction of the northern snakehead.

Bottom line is that it would be better if they weren't here, but they are. The fish have found an ecological niche and they have filled it without destroying everything (or eating anybody's babies for that matter )

tomustang reply :

Snakehead have been proficient in southeast pa since 2004. I've even found dead ones up in the lower lehigh river. From what I've seen the overabundance chain pickerel help keep the the 'heads at bay

Sam reply :

Tom, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries guys that I have spoken about the snakeheads they told me that the snakeheads in the Potomac have not had an adverse impact on the bass population.

For you guys in NOVA and Maryland that fish the Potomac please let us know what you have heard.

At this time I believe we are allowed to release the snakeheads alive. It sure beats killing them and throwing the body in the water.

How about an update from some of you guys who have spokein with the Maryland or Virginia conservation departments?

Sam reply :

"Spokein" That should drive Long Mike up a wall!!!!!!!!

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

Hopefully there is enough food in that lake to sustain largemouth bass and snakeheads. Some lakes don’t have enough food for bass alone, that’s something that the local biologist will have to investigate. As Snakehead Whisper mentioned they are truly amazing to eat. One of the best if not the best freshwater fish, and a lot of fun to catch as well.

Jay

thehooligan reply :

We've had them for awhile up here in jersey on the deleware river and all the tributaries running off it. I dont think they've done any harm on the local waters, but im not a biologist so who knows.... they are fun to fish for though.

neutral reply :

On 4/18/2013 at 10:07 AM, Bassguytom said:
So the local lake I fish here in PA has been confirmed to hold snakehead. Is really bad news for the bass fishing in this lake. From what I have read they soon take over a lake and push out all the native fish. I'm thinking this is really bad for this fishery. Can these things be controlled?

I fish in Bucks County, PA too. Which lake are you referring to?

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

Releasing snakeheads is legal AFAIK in Virginia only (and possibly DC.) In Maryland you must dispatch the fish immediately, however.

Transporting live snakeheads over state lines is a violation of federal law. This includes fish caught and kept in a livewell or bait bucket.

@BassguyTom... What are you waiting for? Go get 'em

mg4u2nv reply :

We've had them in a concentrated area here in florida for roughly a decade. I dont see devastation that a lot of ppl would expect. Sure they will eat bass and bass forage. Bass also eat the young snakeheads as well. When i do target the snakeheads i always catch bass too, so it is possible for them to coincide with one another, in the sme waters.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I too am curious as to where you guys have seen/caught snakeheads in PA.

If they are in any type of concentration, I'll get in the car this summer and meet you. LOL

LVLDVL reply :

So they are like bass adn they fight as hard. But they grow faster and bigger. They strike with ferocity like bass. It can be argued that they are less shy and more aggressive therefore, they are more catchable throughout the day and throughout the season. Also, it is said that their meat is like that of a perch.

[excited] So when are they coming to Minnesota?!

trailer reply :

When I hear "snakehead" panic comes to mind, but think about all the species that co-exist with bass. Stripers, alligator gar, muskie & catfish all come to mind. I'm sure that the snakehead isn't the first fish to grab a baby bass for dinner, or even larger.

Quillback reply :

If I ever catch one (and I sincerely hope they never show up in the lakes I fish), they're not going back in the water alive. I don't want any obnoxious critters messing with my bass fishing. It's great that they are at least good to eat, but there's already plenty of 'good to eat" fish in the lakes around here.

flyfisher reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 1:01 AM, Quillback said:
If I ever catch one (and I sincerely hope they never show up in the lakes I fish), they're not going back in the water alive. I don't want any obnoxious critters messing with my bass fishing. It's great that they are at least good to eat, but there's already plenty of 'good to eat" fish in the lakes around here.

Good thing people didn't think that way when bass were introduced to pretty much every waterway..........

Quillback reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 1:12 AM, flyfisher said:
Good thing people didn't think that way when bass were introduced to pretty much every waterway..........

Well neither one of us was around then to "think that way".

For the record, there is still a continuing problem with bass being introduced into trout lakes in Washington state (where I used to live), the state DFG has to continuously rotenone the lakes to get rid of the bass. I was always in favor of it. There are places in this country where bass do not belong and should be kept out. Same goes for snakeheads. And I doubt you'll find a fisheries biologist in the US that is in favor of introducing snakeheads.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Sometimes it can be a good thing. I know my trout fishing would have never been the same experience without the brown trout.

Of course, I also don't mind the thought of feral pigs running around a-plenty and letting me shoot them as much as I want. Different strokes....

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/18/2013 at 5:42 PM, Sam said:

Tom, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries guys that I have spoken about the Snakeheads they told me that the Snakeheads in the Potomac have not had an adverse impact on the bass population.

For you guys in NOVA and Maryland that fish the Potomac please let us know what you have heard.

At this time I believe we are allowed to release the Snakeheads alive. It sure beats killing them and throwing the body in the water.

How about an update from some of you guys who have spoken with the Maryland or Virginia conservation departments?

Negative Sam, all three jurisdictions on the Potomac (MD, VA, & PRFC) have ordered the fish dispatched on capture. Unfortunately, VA has confusing directions when they say it may be released, but then in the next sentence they say to dispatch the fish. I have talked to VA DG&IF about this -

".......................We are confused and perplexed by the amount of misinformation on our forum concerning the Northern Snakehead fish, and your own web page “Northern Snakehead - Frequently Asked Questions” that was last updated July 1, 2010 is confusing to many.

Your page states: “Anglers are not required to report Snakeheads nor are they required to kill them if caught, but the Department asks that the fish be reported and killed if possible. However, if an angler wishes to keep a legally caught northern Snakehead, the fish must be killed to be in possession, and the angler must call the hotline and report the angler's last name, date of catch, location of catch and size.”

[ The first sentence is the source of much confusion ]...................."

The reply was "...........Of course we wish to contain the fish, but there is really no way that I know of (through regulation or code) to force anybody to kill something that was caught from public waters…(it was there, you caught it, how can we force you to kill it?). Where we can exert that effect is to mandate that if you keep it; it must be dead. (No live Snakeheads in possession). ...................."

I have talked with two MD DNR Police officers separately that told me "if it's inside the gunnel's of your boat, you are in position"......"you catch it - you kill it"....

If we don't work to control their numbers, they'll spread throughout the Bay and it's tribs (in truth, it's only a matter of time regardless of what is done). And truth be told, no one really knows the full extent of the impact the fish will have on the systems in the long term. The feedings studies reported failed to address the SH forage percentage by time of year, therefore all we can say is they (SH & LMB) feed on each others young. If anyone knows of any data (raw or otherwise) on feeding studies of the SH that gives forage percentages by time of year, please let me know; I keep looking but have failed to find anything.

flyfisher reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 1:54 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

Sometimes it can be a good thing. I know my trout fishing would have never been the same experience without the brown trout.

Of course, I also don't mind the thought of feral pigs running around a-plenty and letting me shoot them as much as I want. Different strokes....

Isn't that the truth. Other than Brookies there aren't to many native trout (they are char actually but we won't get into that) on the east coast.

I learned to fish for trout chasing browns on a local spring creek that was considered "wild" fish but they all started as stocked fingerlings and brookies in the mountain creeks.

Man, all this talk about trout fishing might just make me go do that this weekend instead of chasing bass....

LVLDVL reply :

I want to tell you a story. This is a story about a little snakehead walking home from the grocery store one sunny afternoon. Suddenly a truck races up. Two men jump out and grab it. They drag it into a nearby field and they tie it up and they rip its fins from its body.

...

Can you see it? Its raped, beaten, broken body soaked in their urine, soaked in their semen, soaked in its own blood, left to die. Can you see it? I want you to picture that little snakehead. Now imagine it's a bass.

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 2:18 AM, LVLDVL said:

I want to tell you a story. This is a story about a little snakehead walking home from the grocery store one sunny afternoon. Suddenly a truck races up. Two men jump out and grab it. They drag it into a nearby field and they tie it up and they rip its fins from its body.

...

Can you see it? Its raped, beaten, broken body soaked in their urine, soaked in their semen, soaked in its own blood, left to die. Can you see it? I want you to picture that little snakehead. Now imagine it's a bass.

????

flyfisher reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 2:18 AM, LVLDVL said:

I want to tell you a story. This is a story about a little snakehead walking home from the grocery store one sunny afternoon. Suddenly a truck races up. Two men jump out and grab it. They drag it into a nearby field and they tie it up and they rip its fins from its body.

...

Can you see it? Its raped, beaten, broken body soaked in their urine, soaked in their semen, soaked in its own blood, left to die. Can you see it? I want you to picture that little snakehead. Now imagine it's a bass.

I guess sarcasm/humor is different in minnesota....

B@ssCrzy reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 2:18 AM, LVLDVL said:

I want to tell you a story. This is a story about a little snakehead walking home from the grocery store one sunny afternoon. Suddenly a truck races up. Two men jump out and grab it. They drag it into a nearby field and they tie it up and they rip its fins from its body.

...

Can you see it? Its raped, beaten, broken body soaked in their urine, soaked in their semen, soaked in its own blood, left to die. Can you see it? I want you to picture that little snakehead. Now imagine it's a bass.

Do you work for PETA?

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I believe a good ol' Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is in order here gents.

Que?

How is kidnapping and taking a pee on a snakehead relevant to anything even remotely considered close to the ballpark of this thread?

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

I live on the upper Delaware in PA and haven't seen or heard reports of snakehead. Is it possible that bowfin are being mistaken for snakehead as they look quite similar? Bowfin are readily caught in the area here.

flyfisher reply :

And for the record, Bowfin are a severely under rated fish......they are a blast to catch and fight harder than any freshwater fish i have caught so far. They do trash baits though.

LVLDVL reply :

It's a joke, guys. It's from the movie "A Time to Kill". Nevermind, you guys don't get it.

J Francho reply :

Replacng the description of a raped and beaten 7 year old with a snakehead is hardly humorous, or in good taste. Let's leave that path of discussion, now.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/18/2013 at 11:23 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

I too am curious as to where you guys have seen/caught snakeheads in PA.

If they are in any type of concentration, I'll get in the car this summer and meet you. LOL

I've heard that the area around the water treatment plant in Philly on the Delaware river is a good spot. There have been several confirmed catches in this area in the last year (not bowfin.)

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 2:02 AM, Traveler2586 said:
If anyone knows of any data (raw or otherwise) on feeding studies of the SH that gives forage percentages by time of year, please let me know; I keep looking but have failed to find anything.

This article covers it in some detail, but not a complete study by any means.

*PDF file*

Living Together: Largemouth Bass and Northern Snakehead

LTownFisher764 reply :

I believe I know the lake the OP is talking about. It's a private club. It's right up the street from me. The person I know also has caught snakeheads from Manor. I haven't heard of anything being caught from Van Sciver. He does believe they are not Bowfin because of the lower fin. It was a little surprising to hear about this consider the club is private. I know the lakes aren't fenced off or anything but still.

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 3:41 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:

This article covers it in some detail, but not a complete study by any means.

*PDF file*

Living Together: Largemouth Bass and Northern Snakehead

Thanks Whisperer, I have that PDF; they need to preform monthly feeding studies, throughout the infected area, for a couple years to get a decent picture of the SH feeding habits. But that takes time, resources, and money which I know the DNR is lacking. I would gladly volunteer my time if asked, after all I not doing anything useful now, I'm retired.

BTW, how did you get your photo on the DNR's SH web page? I now think of you as "Mr. Snakehead"

flyfisher reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 3:46 AM, LTownFisher764 said:
I believe I know the lake the OP is talking about. It's a private club. It's right up the street from me. The person I know also has caught snakeheads from Manor. I haven't heard of anything being caught from Van Sciver. He does believe they are not Bowfin because of the lower fin. It was a little surprising to hear about this consider the club is private. I know the lakes aren't fenced off or anything but still.

I used to fish there as a kid......good times. Now I just keep driving past to hit the river instead

BassAssassin726 reply :

They found Snakehead in Penn Warner?

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 8:04 AM, Traveler2586 said:
BTW, how did you get your photo on the DNR's SH web page? I now think of you as "Mr. Snakehead"

I'm not entirely sure. I keep in touch with those guys from time to time and I did give them the photo to do with as they wish, but they chose to use it without my knowing. I take my snakehead fishing pretty seriously, but then again I'm not a fanatic like some of these guys out here (have other fish to stalk, like smallies.) It wasn't until a friend emailed me the link that I saw it The wifey thinks it's funny too and says that I'm the ambassador/poster child for snakehead fishing in Maryland. Too funny.

Traveler2586 reply :

I just found this on Ken Penrod's Fishing Reports http://www.penrodsguides.com/fishingreport.htm and just had to share it with you all. What are they thinking !?!?!?

"The Quantico Marine Base intends to stock Snakeheads in Buffalo Pond, on the base for study. This is a very stupid idea since they will allow public fishing. Call them at 703-432-6776 and tell them to train marines and leave the fishing to studies to qualified biologists. How many other waters will “Marine-Snakeheads” show up in?"

Why would the Marine Base be interested in Snakeheads???????????

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 9:48 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:
I'm not entirely sure. I keep in touch with those guys from time to time and I did give them the photo to do with as they wish, but they chose to use it without my knowing. I take my Snakehead fishing pretty seriously, but then again I'm not a fanatic like some of these guys out here (have other fish to stalk, like smallies.) It wasn't until a friend emailed me the link that I saw it The wifey thinks it's funny too and says that I'm the ambassador/poster child for Snakehead fishing in Maryland. Too funny.

Ya, you are "Mr. Snakehead" Want to go fight with some Marines???

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 9:53 AM, Traveler2586 said:
Ya, you are "Mr. Snakehead" Want to go fight with some Marines???

Not really. Snakeheads are tough, but not that tough If you meant to go fight snakeheads fishing with some Marines, then yes.

dreamertino reply :

some people say they are good as food has anyone here eaten any snakehead

gotarheelz14 reply :

I can tell you this without a doubt---snakehead will actually make a bass fishery go from ehhhh to WOW!!!

(1) They are fun as hell to catch. The type of fishing you have to do for them is unbelievable. The strikes you get are ridiculous. It is by far the most exciting, and powerfully fighting fish I have ever caught.

(2) Because they normally prefer slightly different conditions than LM, they will actually not outcompete bass. The type of things they eat are very different. Snakeheads will mostly focus on small mammals and other smaller sized meals. Bass can gobble up bigger fish with that bucketmouth of theirs. Ever seen a snakehead's mouth? It's actually pretty dang tiny...

(3) Snakeheads do not have a spiny dorsal fin, and can spawn up to three times a year? OMG they will out compete bass and make them go extinct right? WRONG. They provide an insanely nutritious and abundant forage for bass and because of the lack of spines on their fins, bass gobble them up!!! The guide we fished with in the Potomac said that in his 20+ years of fishing the river, he has never seen as many or as fat of fish as he has seen in the past couple of years.

(4) If it it's your cup of tea, they are supposed to be one of the better tasting freshwater fish out there....

I personally can't wait until someone brings them into NC waters. They are by far the most fun fish I have ever fished for and I am quite sure our bass population would increase in size and quality because of them. Heck, I might just ditch you guys and join snakeheadresource.com when that happens lol!!!!

Jk about that last one, of course.

Carlos

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 10:52 AM, gotarheelz14 said:

I can tell you this without a doubt---snakehead will actually make a bass fishery go from ehhhh to WOW!!!

(1) They are fun as hell to catch. The type of fishing you have to do for them is unbelievable. The strikes you get are ridiculous. It is by far the most fish I have ever caught.

(2) Because they normally prefer slightly different conditions than LM, they will actually not outcompete bass. The type of things they eat are very different. Snakeheads will mostly focus on small mammals and other smaller sized meals. Bass can gobble up bigger fish with that bucketmouth of theirs. Ever seen a snakehead's mouth? It's actually pretty dang tiny...

(3) Snakeheads have no back spine fin, and can spawn up to three times a year? OMG they will out compete bass and make them go extinct right? WRONG. They provide an insanely nutritious and abundant forage for bass. The guide we fished with in the Potomac said that in his 20+ years of fishing the river, he has never seen as many or as fat of fish as he has seen in the past couple of years.

(4) If it it's your cup of tea, they are supposed to be one of the better tasting freshwater fish out there....

I personally can't wait until someone brings them into NC waters. They are by far the most fun fish I have ever fished and I am quite sure our bass population would increase in size and quality because of them. Heck, I might just ditch you guys and join snakeheadresource.com when that happens lol!!!!

Jk about that last one, of course.

Carlos

It never ceases to amaze me how few people target and go after bowfin (mudfish, etc.) They are very similar to snakehead in many ways, including their brute strength and good fighting abilities (as well being obligate air breathers, parental care for their young, and striking moving targets with reckless abandon.) They're plentiful in NC, and Greensboro is right in the heart of big bowfin country... have you no interest in catching them? Just curious. I think they provide the same quality fishery as snakehead. I wish we had bowfin up here, but they are extremely scarce in these parts. Closest good bowfin fishing to me is the Rappahannock River which is a 90 minute drive from home. I'll still make the drive at least once this year to get at some bowfin.

gotarheelz14 reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 11:15 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:
It never ceases to amaze me how few people target and go after bowfin (mudfish, etc.) They are very similar to snakehead in many ways, including their brute strength and good fighting abilities (as well being obligate air breathers, parental care for their young, and striking moving targets with reckless abandon.) They're plentiful in NC, and Greensboro is right in the heart of big bowfin country... have you no interest in catching them? Just curious. I think they provide the same quality fishery as snakehead. I wish we had bowfin up here, but they are extremely scarce in these parts. Closest good bowfin fishing to me is the Rappahannock River which is a 90 minute drive from home. I'll still make the drive at least once this year to get at some bowfin.

I actually split my bowfin and bass fishing by 50% each. However, Greensboro is really not that good of a place for bowfin fishing. I have lived here for a longggg time and I really haven't found any lakes, ponds, or rivers that have targetable populations.

Now, if we are talking Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill.....that's a completely different story. I went to school there for four years and probably bowfin fished 80% of the time.

I will say though, that no matter how good and fun bowfin are to catch, snakehead fishing by far outweighs bowfin fishing.

There's just no comparison in my humble, respectful, and personal opinion.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 11:31 AM, gotarheelz14 said:

I actually split my bowfin and bass fishing by 50% each. However, Greensboro is really not that good of a place for bowfin fishing. I have lived here for a longggg time and I really haven't found any lakes, ponds, or rivers that have targetable populations.

Now, if we are talking Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill.....that's a completely different story. I went to school there for four years and probably bowfin fished 80% of the time.

I will say though, that no matter how good and fun bowfin are to catch, snakehead fishing by far outweighs bowfin fishing.

There's just no comparison in my humble, respectful, and personal opinion.

Nice fish.

I like the bowfin, but I also really love to fish for snakehead. No argument here that snakehead are one of the most fun freshwater fish to bend a rod. I was only curious, as I seem to get a feeling that a lot of people view the bowfin (and gar for that matter) as "trash fish" with no sport or food value. I don't even like the term trash fish, it's just an observation. It just surprises me that more folks don't target them specifically.

gotarheelz14 reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 11:38 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:

Nice fish.

I like the bowfin, but I also really love to fish for snakehead. No argument here that snakehead are one of the most fun freshwater fish to bend a rod. I was only curious, as I seem to get a feeling that a lot of people view the bowfin (and gar for that matter) as "trash fish" with no sport or food value. I don't even like the term trash fish, it's just an observation. It just surprises me that more folks don't target them specifically.

I agree whole heartedly with you and could not possibly agree more. I think the way anglers perceive these so called "trash fish" would be an awesome sociological examination/experiment. In a lot of ways, it reminds me about the way we have treated each other as humans. If something looks different from what we are used to seeing, we often feel uncomfortable and want nothing do with it. Instead of understanding it before rejecting it, we immediately shut down.

This is probably just a survival mechanism we once were naturally selected for.

It's sad though. A lot of people have formed really negative ideas about fish like bowfin and think that they decimate other fish. I have actually seen and heard of people catching them and throwing them in the bank because they are either "too ugly" or "eat all the other fish..." sigh...

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that people want to have fun and compete with others. They want to show others their catch and want to be able to partake in the social aspects of fishing. So, because not that many people target these fish to begin with, other potential anglers don't either because they would have no one to talk to about their experiences.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 11:46 AM, gotarheelz14 said:

I agree whole heartedly with you and could not possibly agree more. I think the way anglers perceive these so called "trash fish" would be an awesome sociological examination/experiment. In a lot of ways, it reminds me about the way we have treated each other as humans. If something looks different from what we are used to seeing, we often feel uncomfortable and want nothing do with it. Instead of understanding it before rejecting it, we immediately shut down.

This is probably just a survival mechanism we once were naturally selected for.

It's sad though. A lot of people have formed really negative ideas about fish like bowfin and think that they decimate other fish. I have actually seen and heard of people catching them and throwing them in the bank because they are either "too ugly" or "eat all the other fish..." sigh...

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that people want to have fun and compete with others. They want to show others their catch and want to be able to partake in the social aspects of fishing. So, because not that many people target these fish to begin with, other potential anglers don't either because they would have no one to talk to about their experiences.

Couldn't have said it any better myself, especially the part highlighted in red.

JellyMan reply :

No it is not good for the lake but Bass and Snakehead can coexist. if I were a a 5 lb bass, I'de been inhaling small snakeheads. Personally, I dont like them and I will keep my view that the lakes are healthier without the unnatural introduction of other species, specifically, top of the food chain species. I will admit tho, they put up an intense and jerky fight from hell. I caught one and brought it in the boat. It bleed all over my book bag and boat and while it thrashed violently in the boat, it trashed my rods and reels. I was more than upset.

B@ssCrzy reply :

My only problem with snakeheads is that when they spawn they are extremely dangerous to humans. If you get close to their young while they are guarding them they will attack you and do some serious damage. They are not easily run off like a bass when you come near the nest. They actually stand and fight, and the teeth they have will do some serious damage. I have three young kids and we enjoy every year vacationing on a lake. Have been doing it for 30 years. I like that in a freshwater lake I can tell the kids to go have fun and not have to worry about some fish doing damage to them. If the snakehead is introduced that could change things.

Quillback reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 7:27 PM, B@ssCrzy said:
My only problem with snakeheads is that when they spawn they are extremely dangerous to humans. If you get close to their young while they are guarding them they will attack you and do some serious damage. They are not easily run off like a bass when you come near the nest. They actually stand and fight, and the teeth they have will do some serious damage. I have three young kids and we enjoy every year vacationing on a lake. Have been doing it for 30 years. I like that in a freshwater lake I can tell the kids to go have fun and not have to worry about some fish doing damage to them. If the snakehead is introduced that could change things.

Sounds like snakeheads present an excellent bowfishing opportunity when spawning.

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

IMO the snakehead population on the POTOMAC RIVER has not been studied closely enough. If you think about it it has been somewhere close to 10 years since they have been introduced to River here. In that, roughly, 10-15 years span the snakehead can be found from Washington D.C to the BAY. Stop and think about that. If you released a 5 bass in a creek by your house and waited 10-15 years will those bass take over that much water? I know research has been done and now they are saying that snakeheads are hitting there equal medium and that the numbers have stop increasing and are more balanced, but are they? Think about it? I think IMO that the effects of this foriegn fish have yet to peek. 10 years from now we are going to notice a real impact.

There is going to be a time when the big bass are going to start being caught more often, and people are going to start thinking that bass fishing is getting good. But, the reason will be because all the littler bass are going to be eaten up. Then once the big ole bass start dying of old age the snakehead will remain. This will happen to all the fish. With reproduction rates the way these snakeheads reproduce it's only a matter of time.

This is coming from someone that loves to catch snakeheads. Do your part catch, kill and eat some, or better yet give it to someone else that will eat some. Lord knows a crap ton of people around here love eating them.

JAY-

J Francho reply :

I'd be more concerned about bowfin population than bass. Snakehead and bowfin occupy the same niche.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 10:42 PM, J Francho said:
I'd be more concerned about bowfin population than bass. Snakehead and bowfin occupy the same niche.

This is more my understanding. We don't have either here but from what I've read snakehead seem to like extremely shallow water that often has low oxygen levels and cover too heavy for most bass to occupy.

While I'll admit that snakehead sound like they would be a blast to catch, I have no desire to have them in our lakes.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 10:42 PM, J Francho said:
I'd be more concerned about bowfin population than bass. Snakehead and bowfin occupy the same niche.

The Potomac river doesn't have a bowfin population (not sure about the canals in Florida or the area of PA where the OP says they were found.)

B@ssCrzy reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 8:42 PM, Quillback said:
Sounds like snakeheads present an excellent bowfishing opportunity when spawning.

Yeah I think you are right. Would be an easy target in a clear lake.

J Francho reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 11:53 PM, Snakehead Whisperer said:
The Potomac river doesn't have a bowfin population (not sure about the canals in Florida or the area of PA where the OP says they were found.)

That isn't true.The Potamac has bowfin. Or, had....

http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/marine_invasions/databases/daily_invader_archives_cbfishes.aspx

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

A buddy I work with caught a bowfin last year across from Leesylvania last spring. He catches snakeheads with me all the time and knows the difference.

Just saying-

On 4/20/2013 at 1:56 AM, J Francho said:

That isn't true.The Potamac has bowfin. Or, had....

http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/marine_invasions/databases/daily_invader_archives_cbfishes.aspx

Jay-

Bassguytom reply :

Already then it looks like I will be catching snakehead soon. There seems to be a mixed reaction and I still think the jury is out on them. I also think a lot of fisheries management spokesman and biologist know they can't be controlled so they leane towards the (it's not such a bad thing after all) side. I guess we will see what happens in this lake. Only time will tell and time is the one thing ou can't get back. So I'm going fishing. Thanks for all the info. everyone.

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/20/2013 at 3:17 AM, Bassguytom said:
Already then it looks like I will be catching snakehead soon. There seems to be a mixed reaction and I still think the jury is out on them. I also think a lot of fisheries management spokesman and biologist know they can't be controlled so they leane towards the (it's not such a bad thing after all) side. I guess we will see what happens in this lake. Only time will tell and time is the one thing ou can't get back. So I'm going fishing. Thanks for all the info. everyone.

I think you nailed it. Enjoy fishing; if it takes your bait, set the hook......

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

On 4/20/2013 at 3:38 AM, Traveler2586 said:
I think you nailed it. Enjoy fishing; if it takes your bait, set the hook......

Once you catch it eat it they are delicious!

Jay

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/20/2013 at 1:56 AM, J Francho said:

That isn't true.The Potamac has bowfin. Or, had....

http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/marine_invasions/databases/daily_invader_archives_cbfishes.aspx

Ok, fair enough. I do realize that there are some bowfin in the Potomac river. The point that I was trying to make is that the likelihood of catching a snakehead is far greater than the likelihood of catching a bowfin in the tidal Potomac. The bowfin population in the Potomac is marginal at best, and the chance of catching one is very slim.

As for bowfishing for snakehead... the guys who do it fair much better than rod and reel anglers as far as numbers, and also as far as size so far.

Hannock reply :

On 4/18/2013 at 1:16 PM, Snakehead Whisperer said:

Here on the Potomac we are more negatively impacted by the presence of the blue and flathead catfish than we are the snakehead. There are numerous factors that come into play (like water quality, etc.) but the bass fishing has been better here on the Potomac than it has in many years... and this is after the introduction of the northern snakehead.

I second this, if anything the bass fishing has been phenomenally better. Maybe because of more competition for food, but I have caught more and bigger bass than ever since the snakehead have been introduced.

Captain Shane Procell reply :

I once believed the snakehead invasion was a serious problem for our fishery in South Florida. I guess everyone did at one time. I thought the snakehead would eat all the bass. It just isn't happening. On the contrary, the snakehead fry is being eaten by the bass. The head of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Invasive Species Team, Kelly Gestring has also confirmed this in a recent interview. While the snakehead still has a negative reputation down here, the fish is here to stay. I made up my mind that I would just enjoy the snakehead for what it was: hard fighting, aggressive and a tasty fish.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/21/2013 at 5:56 AM, Snakehead Control said:
I second this, if anything the bass fishing has been phenomenally better. Maybe because of more competition for food, but I have caught more and bigger bass than ever since the snakehead have been introduced.

Before northern snakeheads were in the river 5lb. lmb were a rarity. They're pretty common nowadays, but like I said water quality and other factors are also relevant. One sure thing is that the snakeheads have not had the devastating impact that was dreadfully feared 10 years ago. But like Delfi said the snakeheads still need to be studied more extensively for a conclusive answer, and they are still relatively new here. The northern snakeheads in the Potomac are already diverging from the predictable behavior and migration that they exhibit in their native Amur river drainage, so it's still hard to say where it will all lead.

Hannock reply :

On 4/21/2013 at 6:34 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:
But like Delfi said the snakeheads still need to be studied more extensively for a conclusive answer, and they are still relatively new here. The northern snakeheads in the Potomac are already diverging from the predictable behavior and migration that they exhibit in their native Amur river drainage, so it's still hard to say where it will all lead.

We know what and where they like to eat and I know I need some heavy duty braided to reel 'em in.. so I guess we're doing our part

Hannock reply :

On 4/19/2013 at 10:52 AM, gotarheelz14 said:

Heck, I might just ditch you guys and join snakeheadresource.com when that happens lol!!!!

Jk about that last one, of course.

Carlos

I'm actually a little embarrassed that I did a google search for this.......... *facepalm*

snakehead39 reply :

I'm so glad that I found this site regarding this thread about Snakehead. Snakehead Whisperer I saw one of your videos on you tube, very cool. I really feel as though that bass fishing is better than ever on the Potomac. That being said, when I go fishing now on the Potomac all I want is Snakehead. I'm not certain that I will kill as many as I did last year. I really have started to respect them a bit too much. They are hard to catch, difficult to land and tough to get in the boat. Case in point. I caught a large one about 8 or 9lb or so and put her on ice. Caught the Snakehead on a topwater plug and it was all that I could hope for. Thrilling fight, jumps and nice runs. Got her in the boat, I didn't kill her right the and there and then 5 hours later, I open the cooler and the snakehead makes a go to jump out. Wow. I had trouble killing the fish. Mind you the fish was really good to eat and others enjoyed it as well. I'm just now rethinking what I have learned and from the studies I've read from DNR and other states that have snakehead. It remains to be seen if this threat of the sankehead is as dire as DNR makes it out to be.

See you on the river.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/21/2013 at 9:43 AM, snakehead39 said:

I'm so glad that I found this site regarding this thread about Snakehead. Snakehead Whisperer I saw one of your videos on you tube, very cool. I really feel as though that bass fishing is better than ever on the Potomac. That being said, when I go fishing now on the Potomac all I want is Snakehead. I'm not certain that I will kill as many as I did last year. I really have started to respect them a bit too much. They are hard to catch, difficult to land and tough to get in the boat. Case in point. I caught a large one about 8 or 9lb or so and put her on ice. Caught the Snakehead on a topwater plug and it was all that I could hope for. Thrilling fight, jumps and nice runs. Got her in the boat, I didn't kill her right the and there and then 5 hours later, I open the cooler and the snakehead makes a go to jump out. Wow. I had trouble killing the fish. Mind you the fish was really good to eat and others enjoyed it as well. I'm just now rethinking what I have learned and from the studies I've read from DNR and other states that have snakehead. It remains to be seen if this threat of the sankehead is as dire as DNR makes it out to be.

See you on the river.

Thanks.

I too have a great deal of respect for these fish and I too have mixed feelings about killing them. I carry a sharp machete on my boat and sever the spine in one good whack. I don't want the fish to suffer, and I make sure that the meat is consumed if I kill the fish (snakehead jaw is good stuff too, don't overlook this cut.)

I'd be a liar if I said that I hadn't C&R'd snakehead. And for those who have any questions as to the legality of this, please see this page VA Snakehead Info. When fishing in Maryland waters I always dispatch the fish in accordance with the law (and I usually do in VA too, but there's only so much space in my freezer )

It's illegal to possess a live snakehead no matter what state you are in so I would advise either dispatching/releasing the fish immediately if fishing in VA or the district, or promptly dispatching the fish in MD (they will cite for this and the fines are hefty.) Of course, I would always advise for people to read the regulations themselves and not take my word for it.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/21/2013 at 8:05 AM, Snakehead Control said:
We know what and where they like to eat and I know I need some heavy duty braided to reel 'em in.. so I guess we're doing our part

The line sure helps. Last fall I caught a 10lber on my 9' ultra light crappie rig with 2lb. mono. The fight was epic, but I eventually boated the fish.

snakehead39 reply :

Thanks for the heads up Whisperer regarding the laws in VA and MD. Keep up the good work, thanks again.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/21/2013 at 10:36 AM, snakehead39 said:
Thanks for the heads up Whisperer regarding the laws in VA and MD. Keep up the good work, thanks again.

No prob. Welcome to the site.

Silas reply :

We have lots of "Bowfin" down here in South Louisiana....but if you called them that name, few would recognize what you are talking about.

We call it the "CHOUPIQUE" (pronounced Shoe Pick) and it usually is found in shallow water in the bayous. It puts up a great fight. Very few people actually go out fishing for them. They just get caught as we are fishing for bass.

As for eating them, many consider them poor table fare. One "could" eat them, but they are somewhat difficult to clean. One method is to split them with a machete and scrape the meat from the bones with a sharpened large spoon for they are a very bony fish. Lots of work. Once the meat is scraped off, it is mixed with many spices and then fried and called "Choupique Boulet"

A Cajun dish for sure.....maybe even an "acquired taste.." I personally dont like the taste.

Very similar are "Garfish Boulet" where the garfish are cleaned and cooked exactly the same way. Put both in a brown "roux" and spoon over rice and you have yourself a true Cajun Feast.

At least, from what you guys are saying, the Snakehead is pretty tasty.

Does it taste better than sac-a-lait? (Crappie?"

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

Yeah they do taste better than sac a lait. They are very meaty and it pure white meat, not very bony either. Its the best tasting fresh water fish IMO and others in this area.

Jay

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/21/2013 at 10:16 PM, Delfi_Boyz said:

Yeah they do taste better than sac a lait. They are very meaty and it pure white meat, not very bony either. Its the best tasting fresh water fish IMO and others in this area.

Jay

I am looking forward to trying some at the VA Meet & greet this year; it'll probably be my only chance to do so. I just had a stranger in a local store tell me he fixes SH using all the standard methods, even fish balls (round balls of fish meat deep fried) for TV snacks. If I can find people that want them I'll do what I can to meet their request, but I'm not looking forward to worrying about keeping ice on the boat. How long do you think I can go between the catch and the fridge; and how do you properly freeze the fish?

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

A guy at work kept one 3 days in a utility sink in his garage, to his surprise it was still alive. By law they have to be dead to transport. I fillet mine and cut it into fish nuggets. Then took 1/3 flour and 2/3 corn bread mix then deep fried. My 12 yr old daughter is a picky eater and she love it. On the boat just throw them in a cooler with a little water freeze a bottle and leave it in there. Anyone that likes fish will love snakehead.

Jay

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/22/2013 at 3:39 AM, Traveler2586 said:
How long do you think I can go between the catch and the fridge; and how do you properly freeze the fish?

I've kept them for up to 3-4 hours dead on the floor of my canoe in 90° heat and they were fine to eat. Didn't taste much of a difference between those and the ones that went straight into the cooler. Unlike most other freshwater fish, I find that the larger ones taste better, nor is there much difference in fish caught in cool/warm water. After I started catching them with regularity I dedicated an old cooler specifically for snakeheads, as they're huge and bleed a lot. I clean it with bleach, but it's still pretty disgusting in there

To freeze them I usually filet and wash them really well, then freeze in tupperware with no water. I wouldn't recommend freezing them longer than 3 months however (I have about 20lbs. of snakehead meat in my freezer from last fall, and the flavor declined significantly after 4 months.) Like I said earlier the jaw and shoulder areas should be carefully removed and eaten too. These are some of the best cuts in my opinion.

IMHO grilling is by far the tastiest (and healthiest) way to cook snakeheads. They make incredible fish tacos.

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

On 4/22/2013 at 9:41 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:

I've kept them for up to 3-4 hours dead on the floor of my canoe in 90° heat and they were fine to eat. Didn't taste much of a difference between those and the ones that went straight into the cooler. Unlike most other freshwater fish, I find that the larger ones taste better, nor is there much difference in fish caught in cool/warm water. After I started catching them with regularity I dedicated an old cooler specifically for snakeheads, as they're huge and bleed a lot. I clean it with bleach, but it's still pretty disgusting in there

To freeze them I usually filet and wash them really well, then freeze in tupperware with no water. I wouldn't recommend freezing them longer than 3 months however (I have about 20lbs. of snakehead meat in my freezer from last fall, and the flavor declined significantly after 4 months.) Like I said earlier the jaw and shoulder areas should be carefully removed and eaten too. These are some of the best cuts in my opinion.

IMHO grilling is by far the tastiest (and healthiest) way to cook snakeheads. They make incredible fish tacos.

X2 on the tacos

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

They are also very very good on some fresh rolls ( fish subs) w a little tarter sauce! This topic has my mouth watering!

Jay

Traveler2586 reply :

The only way I get fish at home is from the supermarket, I stopped eating anything out of the Potomac a long time ago after getting many Bass, Perch, Rock with parasites in their flesh; then I learned of the fish consumption advisory and the problem with PC B's in the older, larger, fatty fish and that cinched it for me and I became a die-hard C&R angler. I haven't seen anything yet listing the SH on the consumption advisory, but did see a statement that they were similar to other fish of the same size. Are they a fatty fish, i.e. have areas of fat that need to be trimmed away?

QUOTE: "After I started catching them with regularity I dedicated an old cooler specifically for Snakeheads, as they're huge and bleed a lot. I clean it with bleach, but it's still pretty disgusting in there"

I agree their a bloody mess, they do a job on my carpet, so it's the first thing I work on when I get home.

I was spot checked by the DNR one day after I had caught three in and near Little Hunting Creek; the DNR officer looked at my deck and said "Snakeheads?" after taking care of business he tells me I had a "nasty crime scene there" as he looked at my deck.

So, if I find someone that wants them, OK; otherwise their going back into the food chain.

BassinB reply :

Goes to show that as far invasive species go around the world bass are far more dangerous. When it comes to being a "fit" organism they rank pretty far up there.

DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :

I believe the snakeheads on the river grow so fast that they are safer to eat than most of the other fish on the river. I know that bottom feeders have high levels of toxins, and know the snakehead is not a bottom feeder.

Jay

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/22/2013 at 6:41 PM, Delfi_Boyz said:

I believe the snakeheads on the river grow so fast that they are safer to eat than most of the other fish on the river. I know that bottom feeders have high levels of toxins, and know the snakehead is not a bottom feeder.

Jay

They do eat a lot of carp and catfish, though they are smaller. And what you say is true. I caught a 35" tagged fish in Washington DC and VDGIF told me the fish was 3 years old and that it was released in the Occoquan river.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/22/2013 at 10:38 AM, Traveler2586 said:

The only way I get fish at home is from the supermarket, I stopped eating anything out of the Potomac a long time ago after getting many Bass, Perch, Rock with parasites in their flesh; then I learned of the fish consumption advisory and the problem with PC B's in the older, larger, fatty fish and that cinched it for me and I became a die-hard C&R angler. I haven't seen anything yet listing the SH on the consumption advisory, but did see a statement that they were similar to other fish of the same size. Are they a fatty fish, i.e. have areas of fat that need to be trimmed away?

QUOTE: "After I started catching them with regularity I dedicated an old cooler specifically for Snakeheads, as they're huge and bleed a lot. I clean it with bleach, but it's still pretty disgusting in there"

I agree their a bloody mess, they do a job on my carpet, so it's the first thing I work on when I get home.

I was spot checked by the DNR one day after I had caught three in and near Little Hunting Creek; the DNR officer looked at my deck and said "Snakeheads?" after taking care of business he tells me I had a "nasty crime scene there" as he looked at my deck.

So, if I find someone that wants them, OK; otherwise their going back into the food chain.

This is why I usually stock up on snakehead and then throw a bbq. Everyone gets to have some, but nobody eats more than 2oz. or so. I do this maybe 3-4 times a year and rarely eat it otherwise.

Once I saw MD DNR citing a guy who had 2 live snakehead fry in a minnow bucket and was using them as bait. The fine was several hundred dollars.

Traveler2586 reply :

QUOTE: "After I started catching them with regularity I dedicated an old cooler specifically for Snakeheads,

I've started carrying heavy duty plastic kitchen trash bags that I put the fish in as soon as possible before dispatching it; this helps contain most of the mess now. I then place the bag in an unused boat locker which usually (if I close the bag properly) stays clean. Maybe a bag used as a cooler liner would help keep the cooler clean also.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

On 4/22/2013 at 10:08 PM, Traveler2586 said:

QUOTE: "After I started catching them with regularity I dedicated an old cooler specifically for Snakeheads,

I've started carrying heavy duty plastic kitchen trash bags that I put the fish in as soon as possible before dispatching it; this helps contain most of the mess now. I then place the bag in an unused boat locker which usually (if I close the bag properly) stays clean. Maybe a bag used as a cooler liner would help keep the cooler clean also.

Maybe you should install a guillotine in the boat locker... problem solved

Seriously though, I don't have any carpet so I can just hose off my floor when I get home. I can only imagine how messy it must be if you have a bass boat.

---=Martin=--- reply :

They aren't a problem in S.FL. that people once thought they would become. Oh and wait till you catch one! They are FUN!!!!!!

Traveler2586 reply :

On 4/22/2013 at 10:40 PM, Snakehead Whisperer said:

Maybe you should install a guillotine in the boat locker... problem solved

Seriously though, I don't have any carpet so I can just hose off my floor when I get home. I can only imagine how messy it must be if you have a bass boat.

OMG, I'd probably cut my thumb off But I am thinking about a cutting board like you have on the yak; although I'm on the fence about using a machete, I'd probably loose an arm.

The mess on the carpet was a headache, but what really freaked me out was washing the blood into the bilge, so I would flush a 5 gal bucket of soapy water in there and after it drained, I'd run the hose for a while. But the trash bag is helping to control most of the mess. It's really nuts, instead of diving for the net, when I get a SH I go diving for the box of trash bags

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