By Steve Chaconas

Discovered in the Potomac River in 2002, the Northern Snakehead (NSH) continues to spread in territory, legend, and controversy. Illegal introductions continue and efforts to eradicate have slightly diminished as the sport of pursuing snakeheads gains ground.

Anglers are divided over these illegal immigrants. Some continue to support biologists favoring NSH removal, while others deem them as contributing to the enjoyment of the outdoors. There’s no question NSH are fun to catch on hook and line and are challenging to target with a bow. Many anglers are questioning NSH impact and whether they’ve been as devastating as predicted.

Unable to walk on land to devour small dogs and children, a recent MD DNR study reports a declining relative abundance for 19 of 22 resident species, particularly NSH target prey, where populations of snakeheads are growing. The study, using a process of elimination, considered factors including environmental impacts and on-the-ground observations that could explain some of these changes in fish populations. The missing fish coincide with US Fish and Wildlife Service stomach content studies reflecting what snakeheads eat, including killifish, sunfish, and perch. This suggests NSH are eating themselves out of house and home as they colonize an average of three new Chesapeake Bay sub watersheds per year.

MD DNR biologist Dr. Joe Love adds there’s no evidence NSH have caused massive extinctions, as once feared.  This study shows a level of impact on prey populations in some areas, a common story for predators in an ecosystem.  Love says this data largely supports risk assessments and justification for adopted laws and regulations throughout the region. Aided by prolific reproduction, releasing tens of thousands of eggs, and spawning more than once a year, it appears the potential impact of NSH is increasing.

Renaming snakeheads Chesapeake Channa, might make this firm fish more appetizing to become a culinary main course.

Love says commercial harvesting helps the state manage the population. Chesapeake Channa is appearing on menus and at local seafood markets, seasonally available in spring and summer. Currently there’s no season or limit for harvesting Chesapeake Channa.

Another group feels the angling challenge of fighting a big Northern snakehead should be respected, promoted, and protected, desiring sportfish status for the invasive. MD DNR has taken a neutral position on catch-and-release fishing, encouraging harvest whenever possible.  Dr. Love considers NSH angling activity would be beneficial as it gets people out on the water and eventually some might harvest their catches. Love adds, no jurisdiction is considering introducing snakeheads as a sportfish or protecting the population with fishing regulations.

MD DNR hasn’t been on the sidelines in the war on snakeheads. Identifying new areas of expansion, the DNR is working to prevent expansion by spreading awareness of existing regulations. Other projects to directly remove NSH from MD waters include partnering with a fish processor, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Constellation Energy, to remove snakeheads from Conowingo Dam and process them for food for people.  Love says this operation has helped prevent introduction of snakeheads from below the dam on the lower Susquehanna River to above the dam and into the river which extends through PA and NY.

More NSH data is being purchased from bowfishing charter boat guides and anglers reporting tagged snakeheads.  Not only does this incentivize harvest but provides data for better analysis and maintains interest in fishing and harvesting snakeheads.  The snakehead puzzle is still being pieced together and Love says established regulations, laws, and policy in accordance with federal and other states can limit expansion of NSH.

VA Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) concurs there have been subtle (non-significant) decreases in Potomac River NSH numbers. DWR biologist John Odenkirk also agrees the decline is likely a combination of ecosystem assimilation and exploitation via commercial and recreational harvest, including increased bowfishing. However, Odenkirk reports angler harvesting is declining as they treat NSH like black bass and practice catch and release. DWR is killing snakeheads primarily for otolith extraction to determine population variability.

Invasive management isn’t cheap, costing the US more than $100 billion per year. One goal is protecting money fish crops like blue crabs and striped bass. Understanding the invasive species impact depends upon its abundance and the ecosystem, both of which greatly differ across rivers and lakes of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Love adds the DNR has not ignored the blue cat invasion as they also threaten resources in different ways because of their biology, abundance, and distribution within the water column and the bay watershed.  The department invests far more into blue catfish management than it does NSH management.  “I think the scale of the problem for blue catfish is bigger and more difficult to grapple.” On the other hand, snakeheads have been on the radar since 2002 and there are fewer snakeheads due to an active angling population removing them. As for NSH eradication, Love doesn’t think anyone is seriously discussing that, though prevention has been a cornerstone for years.

Potomac River Bassing in MARCH

Time for bass to begin to migrate to creek mouths. Fish slowly and along the bottom as water will be in the mid 40s. Find bass on gravel banks with red lipless crankbaits tied to 10 pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line. Move to find areas with fish or emerging grass.

Use green pumpkin Mizmo tubes once fish are found. Using 10 pound test GAMMA Torque braid with a 10 pound edge leader on spinning gear, slowly drag and stop.

If water is clearer, up to 3 feet visibility, tie suspending jerkbaits, clown pattern, to 10 pound test GAMMA Edge. Vary the length of the pause interrupted with slight taps.  Take note of how long baits need to sit.

When water stays above 45 degrees, slow rolling 3/8 ounce gold bladed Colorado/Indiana spinnerbaits in areas with shallow wood cover near deeper water on 10 pound Edge will illicit hard strikes.

About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.