Single Northern Snakehead Fish Found In Wheaton Regional Park’s Pine Lake

Single Northern Snakehead Fish Found In
Wheaton Regional Park’s Pine Lake
Fish caught by local angler confirmed; Source unknown at this time; Proactive containment measures taken
Who: M-NCPPC’s Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
What: Press Briefing on a Northern Snakehead Fish caught in Pine Lake.
When: Today, Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 3 p.m.
Where: Wheaton Regional Park’s Pine Lake Shorefield Road entrance to the Park Wheaton, Md.
Why: The 19-inch fish caught by a local fisherman is the same invasive species as those found in a private pond in Crofton, Maryland in May 2002. The threat to the local ecosystem and any indication of a reproducing population are not known at this time. Action to contain the contents of the lake has been taken.
Directions to Wheaton Regional Park: From the Capital Beltway I-495, take the Georgia Avenue exit north toward Wheaton. Drive 2.6 miles and turn right at the signal light onto Shorefield Road. Drive on Shorefield Road several blocks into Wheaton Regional Park and turn left into the parking lot next to the Adventure Playground. Follow the trail signs on foot, and walk down the hill to Pine Lake.

Posted April 16, 2004