Are snakeheads destroying ecosystems—or just misunderstood? Discover what the science really says about this invasive fish, why anglers love them, and why releasing one in your pond is a terrible idea.
https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/snakehead-myths.html

 

 

All part of our summertime fun here in Virginia.  I’ve written a few articles on this good fighting, good eating, invader. Now sold in stores as Channa to avoid the negative connotation of Snakehead.  

that is a bucket list fish for sure!!!  I do however hope to catch it in Malaysia.   but the only trips in I find are 21 day mega events.  $$$$$

We have them down here in Florida. Bullseye snakeheads. It’s fascinating in the summer, you’ll see them in the skinniest water guarding their fry. The fry looks like one giant moving fluid mass. 

No shortage in some south Florida waters.  We kill everyone we catch they are apex fish, and recommended to kill on catch by the state.

I know the Northern Snakehead is a food fish raised specifically for that purpose and they are delicious with firm white mild meat, but are the other strains the same like the Bullseye Snakehead found in Florida? 

Our State we are required to kill if caught. An invasive species that is reeking havoc on ecosystems.

 

 

There is an episode of River Monsters when Jeremy Wade targets these fish in Southeast Asia.  I believe it's the Giant Snakehead that grows to over a meter long.

Catch several per year here in VA and this is what I've found.

Yes they are delicious and everyone caught goes in the livewell.

I catch them in shallow water in heavy vegetation.

They love frogs and Whopper Ploppers,

Have not seen bass populations suffer from their existence.

BUT I do not support the introduction of invasive species.

 

I've never been a fan of promoting or normalizing them.    

 

Snakeheads aren't walking their way into all the other lakes around here....Pretty much every lake and river within 2 hours of the Potomac has snakeheads now.  Snakehead fisherman are illegally stocking them in all these places.

 

VA DGIF is full bore on how bad the illegally stocked spotted bass are right now...But they've been rationalizing snakeheads for probably 10 years now so it shouldn't be a surprise that fisherman are taking the idea to other species.

16 hours ago, Bird said:

Catch several per year here in VA and this is what I've found.

Yes they are delicious and everyone caught goes in the livewell.

I catch them in shallow water in heavy vegetation.

They love frogs and Whopper Ploppers,

Have not seen bass populations suffer from their existence.

BUT I do not support the introduction of invasive species.

 

 

My experience in SE PA. 

Kill them all, unless where native.

20 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Kill them all, unless where native.

The smallmouth bass I love to fish for in the Upper Potomac River are not native. 
 

Should your same rule apply here?

No need to go down that path again.  “Non-native” and “Invasive” are 2 different things.  😉