surferman
05-05-2008, 01:37 PM
WATCH FOR SNAKEHEADS: The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding anglers fishing the Catawba River this year to be on the lookout for snakeheads -- an exotic, predatory fish that has the potential to expand its range into North Carolina waters.
If anglers suspect they have caught a snakehead, they are asked to keep it, freeze it or place it on ice and report the capture to the commission by calling (919) 707-0220. While no new reports of snakehead catches have surfaced since the reported catch and release of a northern snakehead last May, fisheries biologists want to make certain anglers are aware of what they should do if they think that they have caught a snakehead.
Snakehead, which are native to Asia and Africa, have the potential to cause undesirable impacts on native fishes. An established snakehead population could reduce the abundance of popular game and nongame species, affecting angler catch rates.
If anglers suspect they have caught a snakehead, they are asked to keep it, freeze it or place it on ice and report the capture to the commission by calling (919) 707-0220. While no new reports of snakehead catches have surfaced since the reported catch and release of a northern snakehead last May, fisheries biologists want to make certain anglers are aware of what they should do if they think that they have caught a snakehead.
Snakehead, which are native to Asia and Africa, have the potential to cause undesirable impacts on native fishes. An established snakehead population could reduce the abundance of popular game and nongame species, affecting angler catch rates.