The Missouri Department of Conservation removed a northern snakehead from a tributary of the Eleven Point River and warns the species is now present in southern Missouri waterways. Officials say the predatory fish — which can reach about 33 inches and survive out of water for days — threatens native and sport fish such as smallmouth bass. The MDC urges anglers to kill captured snakeheads (decapitation, gutting or sealed-bag disposal recommended) and to report sightings; it is illegal to import or possess the species in Missouri.
Missouri Urges Anglers To Kill Invasive Northern Snakeheads — Decapitation and Bagging Recommended
A northern snakehead fishCredit: Getty
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is asking anglers and river users to help remove invasive northern snakehead fish after confirming a specimen in a tributary of the Eleven Point River. Officials say the finding — the first confirmed sighting in the Missouri portion of the Eleven Point — indicates the species may be spreading from established populations downstream in Arkansas.
Why Officials Are Concerned
The northern snakehead is a predatory, nonnative fish described by the MDC as a cylindrical fish with a snake-like head. Adults can reach roughly 33 inches in length and weigh between about 10 and 20 pounds. The species is an opportunistic predator: aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans and other fish make up more than 97 percent of its diet. Because of this feeding behavior and its competitiveness in occupied habitats, snakeheads can harm native and sport fish populations.
An angler holds up an invasive Northern SnakeheadCredit: Getty
"This is the first time we have confirmed the presence of this species in the Missouri portion of the Eleven Point, which suggests they are spreading into Missouri from known populations downstream in Arkansas," said Angela Sokolowski, an MDC invasive species ecologist. "This means their presence will impact this important National Wild and Scenic River and the species that call it home."
What Anglers Should Do
The MDC asks that any live northern snakeheads captured be killed and disposed of properly to prevent further spread. Because the species can breathe air and survive out of water for several days, the agency recommends methods to ensure the fish are deceased and cannot be reintroduced to waterways. Specifically, the MDC recommends:
- Decapitation to ensure the fish is dead;
- Removing internal organs;
- Sealing the carcass in a plastic bag and placing it in a trash receptacle for disposal.
Additionally, the MDC reminds the public that it is illegal in Missouri to import, sell, purchase, or possess northern snakehead fish. Anglers and river users are encouraged to report any sightings or catches to local MDC staff so authorities can track and respond to the invasive population.
The head of a nothern snakehead fishCredit: Getty
Where Snakeheads Have Been Found
To date, northern snakeheads have been confirmed in two southern Missouri river systems: the St. Francis and Eleven Point Rivers. Officials believe the fish most likely spread naturally through connected waterways from established populations in Arkansas.
For the latest guidance, reporting instructions, and legal details, consult the Missouri Department of Conservation website or contact your regional MDC office.
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