Snakeheads are native to Asia and Africa. When introduced to North American waters, they damage the ecological balance. They compete with native species for food and habitat. Lacking their natural predators, these large, fast-growing, fast-reproducing fish become the top predators and may potentially lead to a decline in our bass, crappie, and other fish populations. The impacts of this species on native fish populations are still to be determined and need to be monitored.
Know your catch: Snakeheads can be confused with native bowfin fish. See the picture below to see the features that help tell them apart.
Know the rules: Snakeheads are on Missouri's Prohibited Species List, and live fish and viable eggs may not be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed in Missouri. Do not release the fish or toss it up on the bank, because it could migrate back to the water or to a new water body. Remember, this fish is an air breather and can live a considerable amount of time out of the water. Kill the fish by severing the head, removing internal organs, or putting it in a sealed plastic bag that is disposed into a trash receptacle.
