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.
It's a water sport to some.. catfishing ;-)
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.
Flathead are predators and don't scavenge like channel cat or blues but even channel are fine eats.
I'll take a high fin blue over a channel or a flathead anyday.
I went to it to put catfish and flathead on it for keywords just before you found it. :)
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".
Think we should spread word that liberals make good cut bait? ;)
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...;-)
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).
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
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.
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.
OG,check this thread out.
Ewwwww,my computer didn't show the pic of the second "species" in post #7 when I said that. :{
Wouldn't it be water pollution to throw a liberal into the river? If not then I say lets do it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.