Snakeheads in Massachusetts.

[WTRDOG]

A friend of mine caught a snakehead Sunday afternoon on a spinnerbait.We weighed it on a digital and it was 2lbs 10oz.The fish jumped out of the water 3 times and gave my buddy one hell of a fight,thought it was a catfish the first time we saw it.Never have I heard of someone catching one in Mass.My buddy decided to let it swim free and live to fight another day.As soon as he develops the pics I'll post them.Has anybody else caught one or heard of someone catching one in mass.

[Masshole Mike]

Bad move throwing it back. Snakeheads are an invasive species that MassWildlife considers a serious threat. You're actually supposed to kill and keep any that are caught, and then contact MassWildlife about it...

"These fish prefer shallow, warm, fresh water. It is capable of breathing air and can survive on land for up to two days while in search of another body of water. This means it can decimate an entire population and then "walk", by wiggling it's body like a snake, to another water source.

If found or caught, these fish should be destroyed immediately. DO NOT return them to the water. Instead contact MassWildlife, as they will want it for research. Put the dead fish in a zip lock bag and place on ice until it is picked up."

[WTRDOG]

The fish was caught in an oxbow of a river,I can't beleive their are snake heads in my duck hunting hole...Hopefully they don't like Labs..

[Muddy]

Just hope they are not in your favortie swiming hole; as they like to eat snakes >>> The last thing you need is getting your   Bit!!!!!!!

[NEKvt]

Bad move throwing it back. Snakeheads are an invasive species that MassWildlife considers a serious threat. You're actually supposed to kill and keep any that are caught, and then contact MassWildlife about it...

"These fish prefer shallow, warm, fresh water. It is capable of breathing air and can survive on land for up to two days while in search of another body of water. This means it can decimate an entire population and then "walk", by wiggling it's body like a snake, to another water source.

If found or caught, these fish should be destroyed immediately. DO NOT return them to the water. Instead contact MassWildlife, as they will want it for research. Put the dead fish in a zip lock bag and place on ice until it is picked up."

agreed Mike

I always wonder how people that enjoy a resource can do something so thoughtless that has the potential to so damage it. As someone who hates pickerel so much I can't believe you didn't freak out on your buddy for putting it back.

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

Bad move throwing it back.

DEM regulations:

If one of these fish are found or caught, DO NOT return them to the water! Instead, these fish should be released immediately into one of your enemies toilet's.    

:-/ :-/ :-/:-/

[Muddy]

Bad move throwing it back.

DEM regulations:

If one of these fish are found or caught, DO NOT return them to the water! Instead, these fish should be released immediately into one of your enemies toilet's.

:-/ :-/ :-/:-/

Now there's a real %#$!)Xty  attitude for you

[Matt 825]

Snakeheads pose a very real and serious threat to our fisheries.  Please call your fisheries biologist and let them know exactly where your friend caught that fish.    

[J Francho]

First you need to determine whether it was a snakehead or a bowfin.  A snakehead has an elongated anal fin, whereas the bowfin's is short.

Bowfin:

Northern Snakehead:

If its the latter, you really need to call the Mass. DEC or whatever agency is responsible for the fisheries.  They need to know where this animal exists.

[WTRDOG]

Hopefully he get's frozen solid this winter,I don't think they do well in cold water.Beautiful fish, it looked like a pythoon.

[Matt 825]

Unfortunately the Northern Snakehead has no problem surviving a New England winter.  They also have no problem spawning several times per year in our waters.  They will eat any and all fish they can fit in their rather large mouths.  These are just a few reasons why they are such a serious threat.  

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

Interesting and informative articles

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/fish/northern-snakehead.html

The state of Maryland and Bass Pro Shops have teamed up to offer a reward for any Snakehead fish that are caught.

Anyone who catches a snakehead is asked to kill it humanely with a blow to the head. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources should be notified as soon as possible by calling (410) 260-8320 or 1 (877) 520-8DNR, ext. 8230.

Gift cards to Bass Pro Shops will be given in the following amounts:

$10 for snakeheads smaller than 12 inches

$25 for snakeheads 13 to 24 inches

$50 for snakeheads longer than 24 inches

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/lakepond/downloads/aquatic_species.pdf

Northern Snakehead Fish

Channa argus

The Northern Snakehead fish is native to China. Experts believe that

the snakehead entered our waters through the aquarium and live fish

food trade. The snakehead fish presents a considerable threat to lake

ecosystems and native wildlife, and it is illegal to import or distribute

this species. There have been two reports of adult snakeheads in MA,

but there are currently no known breeding populations. If you catch a

potential snakehead, do not release it: call DCR or DFG immediately.

Snakeheads have elongated tan bodies with dark mottling. They can

grow over 3 feet long and weigh up to 15 pounds. These voracious

top level carnivores have large mouths lined with sharp canine teeth

and feed on native fish, frogs and other aquatic wildlife. Snakehead

fish are able to breathe air, and if they remain moist, can survive out

of water for several days. Snakeheads have been reported to cross land

by wiggling and/or by using

their pectoral fins, although

these attempts are often

unsuccessful.

Key Identifying Features

Snakeheads are often

confused with the native

Bowfins and Burbots; however,

Bowfins have a short

anal fin and usually a dark

tail spot and Burbots have a

split dorsal fin and a barbel.

Massachusetts Lake Contacts

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Lakes and Ponds Program website: www.mass.gov/lakesandponds

Jim Straub 617-626-1411

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Watershed Management

617-767-2877 website: www.state.ma.us/dep/

Massachusetts Division of Fish and Game

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

508-792-7270 ext 163 www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dpt_toc.html

North East Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel (NEANS)

http://www.northeastans.org/

Massachusetts Congress of Lakes and Ponds (COLAP)

508-429-5085 website: www.colap.com

[EdKras]

There are bowfin in some of the coves off the connecticut river.

[fishizzle]

Thats bad news.  Soon they may crawl in CT.

Do they really destroy fisheries as bad as they say?

[ptomacbass]

they don't really seem to be a threat at all.  they can't walk or breath air.  they are actually pretty docile.  i saw one just come up for air one day amongst a school of gar.  he was big and blackish.  he moved very slow and wouldn't strike the spinnerbait my dad cast to him before he dove back down into the water.

[Micro]

Thats bad news. Soon they may crawl in CT.

Do they really destroy fisheries as bad as they say?

No.

I live in Virginia and we share the Snakehead with Maryland.  Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been studying them since they were discovered.  So far:

1)  they have not affected the bass population.

2)  they occupy a different niche environment than bass - very shallow, vegetated water.

3)  they are preying primarily on killifish - a small, soft rayed fish.

4)  most larger Snakeheads captured bear scars from being attacked by ospreys.  

5)  a sport fishery has started to develope.  Guides have reported an increase in persons seeking to fish for snakeheads.  

SO FAR, there has been no detrimental impact.   And we've had them for a few years now.

[ptomacbass]

rondef says they put up a great fight.

[rondef]

I have caught a total of 8 snakeheads this year, my biggest one was 7lbs.  They put up an awesome fight and they will attack any soft plastics thrown their way.  All you have to do is throw the bait let it make a little noise and then let it fall to the ground.  The snakeheads almost always pick up the bait and swallow it.  The only issue is they can cut your line easy.  If you are going out to fish for them use a metal leader.  I am killing the ones I catch because our state law says we have to.  They are supposedly really good to eat though.  This is beginning to turn into a sport fish down here, lots of folks want to catch them.

[atx_newbie]

You know it was kind of funny, I had never heard of snakeheads until I read another thread on here a couple weeks ago (we don't have snakeheads in Texas).  Then that night, I was channel surfing and the SciFi channel had on a movie called "Snakehead Terror."  Ordinarily I would just flip past the SciFi channel, but decided to watch it since I had just found out about snakeheads.  It was a decent movie, full of snakeheads that had been given growth hormone and were all like 10 feet long and knocked people out of boats and ate them.

[WTRDOG]

Quote "I am killing the ones I catch because our state law says we have to. They are supposedly really good to eat though."

I heard they taste like chicken........

.............Crawling to a pond near you........

[Tin]

So when will we be having a night-time swimbait Tourney for Snakeheads???  ;D

[misfit1III8]

First you need to determine whether it was a snakehead or a bowfin. A snakehead has an elongated anal fin, whereas the bowfin's is short.

Bowfin:

Northern Snakehead:

If its the latter, you really need to call the Mass. DEC or whatever agency is responsible for the fisheries. They need to know where this animal exists.

excellent post... Many people confuse these two..

[Tony Lopez]

Bowfin put up a HELL of a fight... I pulled a 8+ pounder out of champlain 2 years ago that doubled over my med-heavy baitcasting rod for about 10 minutes...  He hit a 4" bleeding tube... As far as snakeheads go, kill em...

[Vermont Bassing]

Bad move throwing it back. "

I agree whole-heartedly.  As long as it WAS a snakehead (as someone pointed out, they can be confused with the native bowfin), it should have been killed on the spot and turned into Fish & Wildlife.  Snakehead are on the Federal List of Injurious Fish Species and are classified as highly invasive with the potential to seriously change our favourite sport fisheries.  Anglers all need to do their part to NOT spread such fish, and to kill and report all the ones they find.

[RockvilleMDAngler]

I have seen many schools of snakehead fry in the tidal Potomac River being crushed by bass.  I spoke with a Potomac River guide about them and he says they are the best bass food in the river since the young do not have the sharp spines that bluegill and other baitfish have, they are small and soft and the bass love them.  I am still trying to catch one, I hear they fight like hell.