South Carolina Officials Remind Anglers Not to Release Invasive Snakehead Fish

South Carolina wildlife officials are renewing their warning to anglers about the invasive northern snakehead fish, urging them not to release the species if caught in state waters.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is reiterating guidance first issued five years ago regarding the predatory fish native to Asia. Officials describe the northern snakehead as a "top-level predator" that poses a "substantial threat to native fish populations."

Ross Self, freshwater fisheries section chief with SCDNR, said in a statement that no confirmed sightings of northern snakeheads have occurred in South Carolina since some were found in private ponds in Georgia and North Carolina in 2019. However, the agency's warning remains in effect.

"If anglers catch one, destroy it," Self advised.

The SCDNR recommends anglers who catch a snakehead to keep the fish, freeze it or place it on ice, and contact wildlife officials. Anglers should also document where it was caught and take close-up photos of its mouth, fins and tail to aid identification.

Northern snakeheads can grow up to 3 feet long and have been reported in several states including Georgia, Missouri, California, Hawaii, Maryland and Virginia. The species can breathe air and survive briefly on land, allowing it to move between bodies of water.

Experts believe snakeheads entered U.S. waters when aquarium owners released unwanted specimens. The fish was added to the federal injurious wildlife list in 2002, prohibiting its transport or possession in many areas.

Self noted that South Carolina's native bowfin fish resembles the snakehead, leading to misidentifications. He urged anglers not to harm bowfin out of confusion with the invasive species.

The renewed advisory comes after Missouri reported its fourth-ever snakehead catch in May. As invasive sightings persist across the country, wildlife officials stress the importance of proper identification and handling to prevent further spread of this aggressive predator.