1st Snakehead in Octoraro Creek?

Type: Tidal
Region: Central
Location: Octoraro creek

I was fishing for small mouth in the creek at the first sharp turn on Moore Road coming in from Rt. 222. As far as I know this is the first reported snakehead in the Octoraro creek in Cecil County.

I had been using a crank bait and hoping to catch a rockfish of appropriate size. I had previously caught 3 rockfish which were too small and wasn't having much luck. I had another pole ready with a 1 oz rooster tail and my first cast produced a huge snakehead which fought like crazy and jumped it's entire body out of the water trying to escape. I maneuvered the snakehead to the bank and still had to lift it about 8 feet up. Wow, excitement and unbelief! The first snakehead in these waters that I am aware of. I took the fish to the Conowingo Discount Liquor store, which is also our local tackle shop and was inundated with people who wanted to see the fish.

I called Natural Resources Police and Department Natural Resources and was advised that I should just report the catch online.

23 inches long cooked on the grill over low heat for about an hour�..sweet, buttery and white flake fish�.