Northern Snakehead(Channa argus)

Quick Facts

  • Size Range: Up to 3 feet long
  • Native Species?: No
  • Food Value: Very good, white firm flesh

Snakeheads are native to Asia. Their name comes from the enlarged scales that cover their heads. They can move short distances on land through a wiggling motion. They are highly predatory, consuming mostly fish, but will also eat other small aquatic animals such as frogs and crawfish. Both male and female snakeheads are very protective of their eggs and fry. They can grow up to 3 feet in length.

Northern snakeheads have been reported in the following states: Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. They were released into the wild through fish markets and the aquarium trade. Northern snakeheads are not a threat to humans. They will not attack animals larger than they are.

The potential introduction of snakeheads into Louisiana waters is of concern because the species will compete with native aquatic species.

Northern snakeheads can breathe air. Unlike humans, they lack a diaphragm, and use water to exchange old air with fresh air each time they take a breath. Thus, their ability to breathe air when out of the water is limited. Northern snakeheads can survive out of the water for several days if they are kept moist, but would desiccate and perish in minutes if placed on dry land in direct sunlight. Northern snakeheads also have gills and breathe water like other fish.

Related Habitats:
Other Invasive & Prohibited Species: Alligator Weed Water Hyacinth Tilapia Giant Salvinia Common Salvinia Cuban Bulrush Rio Grande Cichlid Hydrilla
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Related Fishing Methods

The use of chunks of cut bait, usually fish, to attract game fish to the boat. The hook is then placed in one of the chunks and tossed out to free-line down. Also could be considered chumming, but the size of the pieces are bigger and gives the fish something to start feeding on.

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.