In less than 25 years, an invasive fish has become the apex predator of the Susquehanna River in eastern Pennsylvania.
Flathead catfish have been flourishing in the river since 2002, growing to 30 to 40 pounds, with some reaching more than 60.
“Anytime we have a move or change in the dynamics of the system, it’s not a positive thing,” Geoffrey Smith, warmwater Unit Leader for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, said.
“Now, for anglers who enjoy fishing for them, there’s some positivity to it, but from an ecological standpoint, it is not a positive thing,” he said in a telephone interview
Smith was involved in a study with Penn State and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess how flatheads are affecting the food web and energy flow in the Susquehanna River in eastern Pennsylvania.
Smith said flatheads were first found in the river drainage in 1991 but then weren’t seen again until one popped up in the Susquehanna River below Safe Harbor Dam in the Lancaster and York counties area in 2002.
Regarding the study’s findings, Smith said, they are looking at how flatheads are changing the waterways and the food web itself.
They've also become a problem in the Upper Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Potomac, James and New River systems, although Blue Catfish get bigger, and seem more abundant in the brackish regions and get more attention.
I have no personal experience, but MDDNR claims they are good eating. Certainly, the blue cats are.
The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Terrain Features up on time and under budget.
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