Fishermen told to suffocate or behead this ‘perfect invasive species'
(KTVI) – The Missouri Department of Conservation is warning the state's anglers — and folks living near Missouri waterways — to keep an eye out for an invasive snakehead fish not native to the United States, echoing warnings issued in other states.
The northern snakehead fish, also known as Channa argus, are long, predatory fish native to Asia with a head that resembles that of a snake, according to the MDC. They prey on sportfish, as well as bugs and reptiles, and spawn more frequently than many other native species, posing a risk of depleting resources that other species need to survive, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says.
It can also breathe air and survive out of water for up to 'several days,' MDC officials said, making it capable of traveling between bodies of water.
'All these traits rolled into a single fish suggested that the Northern Snakehead might be the perfect invasive species that, left uncontrolled, would unleash untold havoc on inland fisheries throughout the region,' the FWS said.
How to spot a northern snakehead
Because of this, fishermen in Missouri are being instructed not to release a snakehead if caught, but instead kill the invasive fish in one of three ways: by severing its head, gutting it, or 'placing it in a sealed plastic bag.'
The MDC also wants fishermen to photograph any snakehead catches and report their finds to their Snakehead Fish Reporting program.
The MDC said the northern snakehead was first spotted in Missouri in 2019. Several states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, among others, have issued their own warnings in recent years, often urging fishermen to kill or harvest the so-called 'frankenfish.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
All-female crew of veterans celebrated on Greater STL honor flight
ST. LOUIS – For the first time, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight took off with an all-female crew of veterans, coinciding with Women's Veterans Recognition Day. 'Getting recognition. That's what I'm most proud of,' said 91-year-old Helen Kevrick, who showed up with excitement for the honor flight. Although she's been on an Honor Flight before, today's event meant a lot for Kevrick. 'I'm so glad to be able to be here at my age and to be with all these other wonderful women. It's outstanding,' Kevrick said. This Honor Flight included 28 Vietnam-era women veterans who served during a time when their contributions were often overlooked. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I served in the Army right out of high school—1971 to 1991,' said Diann Turner. 'I wanted to go to Vietnam, but at the time, women could not go to Vietnam. Only if you were a nurse.' Many of these veterans were visiting the memorial for the first time, reflecting on their past and reclaiming their place in history. 'As a matter of fact, I haven't been to a walk for around for too long. I was only ever in D.C. to take training courses or something. I never had extra time to go do this,' said Susan Reyes Sauter, an Air Force Veteran. The Vietnam Memorial, with names etched into its black granite wall, served as a poignant reminder of the lives lost, including eight American women. This day was not only a tribute to the individual sacrifices of these women but also a celebration of their collective strength and sisterhood. 'I'm proud of my service, proud of being here with all these other women who gave their service too,' Kevrick said. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
New pavilion at Springfield city park is cooperative effort of MDC and other partners
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Thanks to a cooperative effort of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and other partners, Springfield's Lost Hill Park can now serve as a focal point for outdoor education. A May 21 ceremony at the scenic park on the north side of Springfield officially opened the Lost Hill Park Environmental Educational Pavilion. Half of the funding for this $98,157 project was provided by MDC. Funding for this project was also provided by Bass Pro Shops and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The pavilion will be the site of a variety of events coordinated through the park board's Outdoor Initiatives and Conservation program. This program provides outdoor-oriented programs and education efforts. 'The love of conservation starts with the love of nature; that's why the Department partnered with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board on this project,' said MDC Southwest Region Recreational Use Specialist Phillip Stearns in a news release. 'We hope that this project helps the next generation gain a love for the outdoors.' In addition to its outdoor educational purposes, Lost Hill Park's pavilion will also be available for general use and rentals. The pavilion was built by Hambey Construction of Springfield. More details about the Springfield-Greene County Park Board's Outdoor Initiative programs can be found at MDC's funding assistance with this project is an example of the community conservation assistance that may be available for conservation-related urban projects. More information about MDC's community conservation efforts can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Yes, there are eels in Missouri – And they're all female
FESTUS, Mo. – A slippery, rarely seen creature may make a surprise appearance in Missouri waters this summer. Believe it or not, American eels live in the Show Me State. Earlier this week, Steve Hite of Environmental Restoration, LLC, caught and released an American eel while working on the Mississippi River, just south of Plattin Creek near Festus. The Missouri Department of Conservation recently shared about the sighting, reminding the public that – while rare – American eels indeed live here among us. According to MDC, the only eels you will find in Missouri are female. While both males and females are commonly found in coastal estuaries, only females make the long journey inland to rivers and streams like those in Missouri. Freshwater environments provide critical feeding and growth habitat for females before some return to ocean to spawn. Though considered uncommon, eels can occasionally be found in Missouri's large rivers and major streams. The distribution and abundance of eels can still be difficult to track, but they tend to be especially rare in southwest Missouri. That said, American eels play a quiet, yet important role in local ecosystems. Young eels feed on aquatic insects, while adults consume crayfish and fish. The adults also serve as prey for larger predators. Conservations believe Missouri's eel population have declined over time, largely due to dams that restrict their long migratory routes. That's part of what makes encounters like the one on Festus ever so more special. If you happen to come across an eel in Missouri waters, be sure to handle it with care. Use wet hands or a wet cloth to protect its slippery, delicate skin. If it's been hooked, gently remove it and release it back into the water as soon as possible. MDC also encouraged anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to take a quick photo or video of any eel sightings. Each encounter could be valuable information for researchers and conservationists. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
