Snakehead Data Collection

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I went bow hunting snakehead fish on August 3rd. I have not been after these fish in a month or so and I only saw this one fish. I have heard from several friends that you just don't see them like you did earlier in the year. I know there is more grass for them to hide in, but I also believe there are a lot more people targeting them and their numbers are down. Maybe we are starting to have an effect on their numbers.

I have a question for MD DNR. Has there been enough data collected to compare their numbers over the last few years and if so what are the findings? Thank you for your time.

DNR Response: Thanks for getting out there and targeting snakeheads. We do have some catch estimates for snakehead, but there hasn't been a survey designed to do a good job of monitoring their populations just yet. We will be working with USFWS, VADGIF, and DC Fisheries this fall to help develop that type of monitoring program. The USFWS does have some data on snakehead catches and changes in distribution of the fish in the Potomac. It's possible, given a few more years, that we'll see a drop in those catches or shrinkage of that distribution. That may just be a hope of mine; I tend to be optimistic. Thanks again for getting out there!

Tags: northern snakehead