Latest news with #FlatheadCatfish
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Locals encouraged to reel in monstrous fish species after relaunch of city bounty program: 'Each year seems to produce more and more'
If you can't beat them … eat them? That seems to be the philosophy behind an annual bounty program on offer in Maryland, where a nonprofit pays anglers to catch invasive fish species, Chesapeake Bay Magazine reported. Those who turn in the body or head (fresh or frozen) of a northern snakehead, blue catfish, or flathead catfish receive $30 under the Reel Rewards Program. Only invasive species caught within the Baltimore Harbor area of the Patapsco River qualify. The 2025 Reel Rewards Program runs from April 26 through July 12, per Chesapeake Bay Magazine. One need not be a resident of the area to participate. The program serves the dual purpose of removing invasive species from local waterways and providing important research data about the prevalence of non-native fish. "Invasive fish species threaten the Baltimore Harbor ecosystem, economy, and native species," explains the Reel Rewards website. "Invasive Snakehead, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish prey on and compete for resources with native species that are important to anglers and businesses." The program pays $30 for each qualifying fish. In 2024, it paid out almost $9,000, per Chesapeake Bay Magazine. The leading angler, Brian Slacum, turned in 134 snakeheads, earning over $4,000. Perhaps having learned its lesson, Reel Rewards placed a bounty limit of 12 fish per week per angler in 2025. Those participating in the program must obtain an appropriate fishing license and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Despite the efforts, the invasive species have shown few signs of relenting. "We have been hitting the same spots for years," Slacum told Chesapeake Bay Magazine. "Each year seems to produce more and more of the snakehead." Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Due in large part to increasing global temperatures, invasive species have been on the rise around the world, causing an estimated $423 billion in economic losses annually. Invasive species outcompete native plants and animals, upsetting the delicate balance of local ecosystems, which threatens food supplies on which humans depend. If you aren't an angler within range of Baltimore Harbor, there are other steps you can take to protect your local environment from the threat of invasive species. Upgrading to a native lawn, rewilding your yard, or simply planting a few native plants can save water, time, and money while helping the local ecosystem. As for whether the invasive fish caught in Baltimore Harbor are safe to eat, Reel Rewards warns: "It depends. Follow the [Maryland Department of Environment] consumption guidelines to ensure safety in preparation and consumption of fish." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What are the rarest fish you can catch in Kansas and where can you find them?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Some fish are harder to catch than others in Kansas but a rare few species are considered truly unusual to come across by the public or anglers casting lines at their favorite fishing spots. 27 News reached out to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to learn about what species the agency considers rare for people to encounter in the wild. Bryan Sowards, KDWP Fisheries Division director, gave some answers on the topic and tips for what people should do if they manage to bump into one of these rare fish. Sowards said nearly 140 different fish species have been found in Kansas over the last 150 years with many being common varieties of sports and native fish that most people are familiar with. Small minnows, shiners, darters and suckers often escape notice by the general public. 'Several species including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Walleye get a lot of the recognition and are encountered and caught by anglers often,' Sowards said. 'However, that leaves more than 100 species, some rare, others common that aren't easily encountered or recognized by the public.' Black bear sightings are increasing in Kansas Anglers and others near the water are unlikely to notice these tiny fish swimming around in streams and rivers unless they know what to look for or have special equipment such as very small hooks. However, some other, larger species are considered quite rare and anglers have low odds of catching them. Sowards said one rare species that could be encountered by the average angler is the American eel. These fish, which spawn in the Sargasso Sea and travel across great distances, are occasionally found in Kansas waters. KDWP biologists managed to find one of these fish in April last year. 'In order to make it to Kansas, specifically the Kansas River, they have to trek through many locks and dams,' Sowards said. 'Despite this, eels are reported by anglers once every few years or so, typically after high water allows them passage to the Kansas River.' Biologists track invasive species reaching 'impressive sizes' in Neosho River Sowards said another fish that is fairly rare to come across is the brown bullhead catfish. It is the only type of catfish found in Kansas that is not native to the state. The last stocking of brown bullhead was in the early 1950's but they are still occasionally reeled in. 'They haven't been stocked in over 60 years but some are still caught on rare occasions at Ottawa State Fishing Lake and some other lakes in the Kansas City area,' Sowards said. Endangered and threatened species also fall into the category of rare catches, though anglers should be careful when they encounter them due to their protected status at the state and/or federal level, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Sowards said varieties of sturgeon like shovelnose, lake and pallid are considered rare to catch. Both the shovelnose and pallid sturgeon species are labeled as threatened and endangered at the federal level respectively and the lake variety is a Species in Need of Conservation (SINC) in Kansas. 'The shovelnose is easy to catch with worms, but not often encountered,' Sowards said. 'The Lake and Pallid Sturgeon are much larger but far more rare in occurrence.' Alligator snapping turtles are back in Kansas, what to know The KDWP shared that a member of its Fisheries Division caught a rare pallid sturgeon out of the Kansas River in 2023 while sampling work was being conducted there for invasive carp. Kansas angler Kevin Zirjacks also accidentally caught a dinosaur-like lake sturgeon in 2022 while fishing for carp. It should come as little surprise to anglers that places like the Kansas and Missouri Rivers can be good places to find a rare species swimming in the Sunflower State. However, there are other bodies of water where people might find a rare fish or two. Sowards said some lakes and reservoirs hold specific populations of rare fish. Milford Reservoir is home to goldeye, described as a fish that resembles a shad with sharp teeth, while blue suckers might be encountered in the Kansas River. 'It [blue sucker] prefers fast flowing water such as turbulent riffles and chutes,' Sowards said. 'This fish can achieve sizes over 10 pounds.' Will this legendary Kansas catfish world record ever be beat? East and southeast Kansas waters are home to diverse populations of fish both large and small, including rarer varieties like spotted gar and spotted suckers. Sowards said Big Hill Reservoir is a prime spot to find both of these species along with some nearby perennial rivers. 'Another hotbed for rare fish species encounters is the Spring River in far southeast Kansas,' Sowards said. 'Rare encounters with River Redhorse, a large species of sucker, and the Black Redhorse, a smaller sucker species, occasionally occur here. Rock Bass, a prized species of fish in the Ozarks and common in places like Table Rock Lake, in Missouri, is common throughout Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, but only found in far southeast Kansas.' Anglers who come across rarely seen fish species might find such encounters exciting, but they should also be cautious. Sowards warns that many rarely seen fish are protected at the state or federal level. 'Many, but not all, of these rare fish are protected by state and federal endangered species regulations,' Sowards said. 'Therefore, KDWP encourages the immediate release of all species that are not easily identifiable. It is illegal to possess threatened or endangered species, such as the Pallid Sturgeon.' Where are the best places to go 'shed hunting' in Kansas? Sowards said KDWP biologists can help verify whether someone came across a rare species in Kansas. Documenting these special occasions can help the KDWP improve its conservation practices and care for species that are not often seen by the public. 'Rare encounters are not often submitted by the public,' Sowards said. 'We might get dozens a year, with only 1-6 verified rare encounters, annually. Verification can be done on site by biologists but typically the pictures are used and verified by trained staff to avoid violations by possessing endangered species.' Kansas wildlife officials ask hunters to hand over 50 muskrats. Here's why People who come across a rarely seen or endangered species in Kansas are encouraged to carefully document each encounter before sending the information to the KDWP. This can be done by sending an email to or by reaching out to a local KDWP office. 'If you encounter a rare species, please take pictures, release the fish if unidentified, and notify a local fisheries biologist,' Sowards said. You can find more information on how to submit rare species encounters on the KDWP's website by clicking here. To learn more about what species are considered threatened or endangered in Kansas, click here. What fish are bad for your health in Kansas? For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
