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Alien Catfish Species Found in N.J. Canal (Flathead)
AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/25/04 | AP - Lambertville, NJ

Posted on 08/25/2004 9:32:45 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. - An alien species of catfish has been caught in the Delaware Raritan Canal, prompting fears among environmental officials that the voracious predator could devastate native catfish, sunfish and some sturgeon populations the way it has in southeastern states.

"The threat of the flathead is significant," Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell said in a statement Wednesday. "Anglers should report any catches or sightings of this fish to the Department."

In the southeast, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the flathead as its highest priority among invasive animal species, the DEP reported.

Flatheads, which are normally found west of the Appalachian Mountains, can grow to up to 100 pounds. The fish's color ranges from a yellowish brown to dark brown, with black or brown spotting. It has a flat head and a tail that appears rounded or square. A key distinguishing feature is that its lower jaw projects past the upper jaw.

The fish was caught in Lambertville July 23, near the Delaware River. Flatheads are known to consume large amounts of shad during spawning season.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: New Jersey
KEYWORDS: alien; canal; catfish; delaware; environment; fish; flathead; found; mexicancatfish; raritan; species
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To: dr_who_2

It's a water sport to some.. catfishing ;-)


21 posted on 08/25/2004 10:35:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Hairy Kerry now ..... pay thru the nose later)
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To: Free Trapper

Of course somebody stocked some Flatheads back east to try to improve the fishery. Like the other Freepers, I don't grasp the notion that something bad is happening here.


22 posted on 08/25/2004 10:40:05 PM PDT by rdl6989
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To: dr_who_2
They're good eating and you can't hardly make 'em take a dead bait unless it's really fresh.

Flathead are predators and don't scavenge like channel cat or blues but even channel are fine eats.

23 posted on 08/25/2004 10:43:53 PM PDT by Free Trapper (Because we ate the green mammals first!)
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To: Free Trapper

I'll take a high fin blue over a channel or a flathead anyday.


24 posted on 08/25/2004 10:48:47 PM PDT by eastforker (Maybe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure what I said is what I meant_John Kerry)
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To: NormsRevenge
That's the one.

I went to it to put catfish and flathead on it for keywords just before you found it. :)

25 posted on 08/25/2004 10:48:53 PM PDT by Free Trapper (Because we ate the green mammals first!)
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To: NormsRevenge

It's another subset in the species known in my circle as "fish you throw back, wonder how you ended up catching, and hope it never happens again".


26 posted on 08/25/2004 10:51:37 PM PDT by SoDak
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To: rdl6989
Was just thinking that most places with good sized catfish don't have too many liberals.

Think we should spread word that liberals make good cut bait? ;)

27 posted on 08/25/2004 10:54:54 PM PDT by Free Trapper (Because we ate the green mammals first!)
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To: SoDak

I grew up in W. Central Minnesota and saw all kinds of critters snagged in the lakes and creeks.. we never had the flathead to contend with tho.

we had carp and suckers in abundance. I remember seeing a swarms of bullheads in the water and then netting them,, uughhh. ya may as well cut the line and just moveon...;-)


28 posted on 08/25/2004 10:57:27 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Hairy Kerry now ..... pay thru the nose later)
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To: NormsRevenge

Not sure how close to me you were, but there are abundant Flatheads in both the Big Sioux and James Rivers over here on this side of the border. A 28 lb Flathead was taken this summer out of the Big Sioux, close to Pipestone. Like most from this area, I never had a taste for catfish and still don't. I fish for Walleye for eating, and Northerns for fighting (and eating).


29 posted on 08/25/2004 11:01:57 PM PDT by SoDak
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To: SoDak

I was about 75 miles east of the border, halfway between fargo and minneapolis ,, oodles of lakes ,, lots of walleye, bass, sunnies and crappies ,, and more northerns that ya can shake a stick at.

was in a local sportsman club that seeded a few local lakes with muskies and walleyes over the years

my favorites are crappies and panfish.. its the beer batter golden fried in butter yum yum recipe that works for me


30 posted on 08/25/2004 11:08:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Hairy Kerry now ..... pay thru the nose later)
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To: NormsRevenge

I've worked in that area a lot, it's beautiful country. I have a friend from Granite Falls and her dad fishes somewhere up by Alexandria, and I plan to give it a try sometime. I generally fish Oahe on the Missouri.


31 posted on 08/25/2004 11:11:23 PM PDT by SoDak
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To: eastforker
I lean toward blues for eating now but part of my family likes flathead better.

Staying in good bait for flathead can be a pain sometimes,too,so noodlin' or bowfishing can be a good way to go,where legal.

32 posted on 08/25/2004 11:15:41 PM PDT by Free Trapper (Because we ate the green mammals first!)
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To: NormsRevenge; OverPowered Godzilla
That thread about flathead in Pennsylvania was about two years old but a new FReeper dug it up just the other day.Probably the only reason I thought of it.

OG,check this thread out.

33 posted on 08/25/2004 11:35:08 PM PDT by Free Trapper (Because we ate the green mammals first!)
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To: dr_who_2

Ewwwww,my computer didn't show the pic of the second "species" in post #7 when I said that. :{


34 posted on 08/26/2004 8:52:23 AM PDT by Free Trapper (Because we ate the green mammals first!)
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To: Free Trapper

Wouldn't it be water pollution to throw a liberal into the river? If not then I say lets do it.


35 posted on 08/26/2004 11:06:31 AM PDT by rdl6989
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