Mattawoman Snakehead

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Mattawoman Creek

My first Northern Snakehead taken using archery equipment in Mattawoman Creek on May 29. These are very wary fish and require patience to take. I see a lot of similarities to the beta fish in it's movement and behavior. They will stare at you and study you. To me it's like a giant wild beta fish. If you catch one, don't throw it away, take it home and eat it. To me they taste very much like walleye. They are not ugly either by any means. I would keep my hands away from it's mouth. They do have some pretty nasty looking teeth farther back inside it's mouth.

The fishes skin/scale pattern is very similar to a rattlesnake. It looks very striking in the water and they camoflage very well. We ate this one as soon as we got home. My only regret is that this was a small one. I definitely will be back for more when I find time. It's great fun and rewarding taste-wise.