Northern Snakehead Sightings - North of Swains Lock

Type: Nontidal
Region: Southern
Location: C & O Canal

I am not sure if this is a common occurrence, but I saw two snakehead fish this morning in different sections of the canal north of Swains Lock. I've been running along the towpath here for 15 years and these were the first snakeheads I had ever seen in the canal (and it just so happens I saw two in one day). They were each about 8-10" in length.

DNR Response: Northern snakehead has been caught in the lock system above Great Falls for about 3 years. This past year, the department helped raise awareness by co-hosting a "Stop the Snakehead" derby at Pennyfield Lock. The event was well-attended, but only one snakehead was caught. The number of snakeheads in this area is small right now, but the species is reproducing and has entered the non-tidal Potomac River. The department is encouraging people to harvest the species when it's caught and to report sightings to the angler's log. Thanks for the report! For more information, please go to our webpage on snakeheads or contact Joseph Love (410-260-8257) with Freshwater Fisheries.