Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

On August 27, an angler caught a northern snakehead from Reservoir Pond in Canton, Massachusetts. After obtaining and analyzing the specimen, MassWildlife confirmed this fish was a snakehead, an invasive species in Massachusetts. This fish was most likely released by a pet owner when it grew too large for its aquarium. Possession and liberation of snakeheads are both illegal in Massachusetts. Transferring exotic fish into local waterways can cause a host of problems, including competition with native species and spread of disease. This recent catch is the fifth confirmed snakehead documented in Massachusetts since 2002. All snakeheads found in Massachusetts were adults, and MassWildlife has found no evidence of reproduction at any of the locations where the snakeheads were caught.

Anglers may confuse snakeheads with other native species like bowfin. Anyone who captures a fish that can be confidently identified as a snakehead should keep the fish, kill it, and report it to MassWildlife by emailing mass.wildlife@mass.gov or calling (508) 389-6300. MassWildlife encourages anglers who are less certain about the species of fish they have caught to send photos showing various angles of the fish. Under no circumstance should a suspected snakehead be transported to another location until identification is confirmed.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Resources Division.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division confirmed someone found a northern snakehead in early October in a pond on private property in Gwinnett County, marking the first time the invasive fish has been found in the state. Fishermen who find a northern snakehead should take pictures, note where it was caught and then report it.

National Wildlife Federation.

"Invasive species" — they may not sound very threatening, but these invaders, large and small, have devastating effects on wildlife.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

South Carolina Native Plant Society.

Waldwissen.net. Information for Forest Management in Central Europe.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (Canada).

Tasmania Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Australia).

Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Michigan Sea Grant.

City of Chicago. Department of the Environment.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Pennsylvania State University. Pennsylvania Sea Grant.

The PA Sea Grant participates in several projects related to education, outreach, research, control, and management of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.

Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council.

Polk County Department of Land and Water Resources (Wisconsin).

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.