Opinions on Snake Heads

[Gerry Zagorski]

Kill or eat them or let them go and why??

[reason162]

I find it funny when people insist I *must* kill any fish I catch...I don't work for the state, and if I want to release a fish that's what I'm going to do.

It's one thing if they are on the verge of eradicating snakeheads, but from what I understand they've completely given up on bodies of water where they're already established.

My personal opinion is live and let live, but ultimately it should be up to the individual angler.

[Dave B.]

I find it funny when people insist I *must* kill any fish I catch...I don't work for the state, and if I want to release a fish that's what I'm going to do.

It's one thing if they are on the verge of eradicating snakeheads, but from what I understand they've completely given up on bodies of water where they're already established.

My personal opinion is live and let live, but ultimately it should be up to the individual angler.

The regulation is quite clear, you must kill them. C&R is not an option in this case. To do otherwise is a total disregard for the law which would then cast a shadow of doubt on one's overall integrity as a sportsman. If you don't like the regs you're free to lobby the Div. to change them.

[thmyorke1]

Where i typically fish, i dont see a population of them (none so far) and if i found one i would most likely take it home. In this scenario, where there's no snakehead population, other than a few that got introduced, Not releasing it could prevent them from growing in #s

If i was actively targeting them,and a snake head enthusiast gave advice to where to go catch them, and i went out of my way to catch them, I would probably put them back. At this rate, the snakeheads in this body of water make their own fishery. If you get what im saying.

[Skolmann]

The regulation is quite clear, you must kill them. C&R is not an option in this case. To do otherwise is a total disregard for the law which would then cast a shadow of doubt on one's overall integrity as a sportsman. If you don't like the regs you're free to lobby the Div. to change them.

Agree

[acabtp]

I find it funny when people insist I *must* kill any fish I catch...I don't work for the state, and if I want to release a fish that's what I'm going to do.

It's one thing if they are on the verge of eradicating snakeheads, but from what I understand they've completely given up on bodies of water where they're already established.

My personal opinion is live and let live, but ultimately it should be up to the individual angler.

this is a terrible attitude. the law is the law. your personal opinion doesn't enter in to it. if you don't like it, make public comments, lobby the council and get the law changed.

doing whatever you want instead makes you no better than the guy keeping a bucket full of 8" bass.

[JDTuna]

this is a terrible attitude. the law is the law. your personal opinion doesn't enter in to it. if you don't like it, make public comments, lobby the council and get the law changed.

doing whatever you want instead makes you no better than the guy keeping a bucket full of 8" bass.

No, definitely not the same thing. This regulation is pointless and, in my opinion, needs to be changed to either release immediately or kill them to prevent transporting live fish to other water bodies. That's the regs that they have dealing with invasives in Florida.

Regardless, there is no getting rid of them. They're here to stay. They have spread throughout major river systems, and there is no chance of getting rid of them. Killing for the sake of killing is just a ridiculous waste.

And all the science to this point indicates they are not a problem. Nor will they be a problem. They are ecologically the same as a bowfin. They fill the same niche. Just two species that evolved in similar habitats on different continents. They aren't the monster the media made them out to be.

[ScowardNJ]

Kill or eat them or let them go and why??

I have no opinion. If i catch one I'd probably take a picture, throw it back and keep fishing. Pretty much what I do with everything i catch in freshwater. If i knew someone who wanted to eat it, mount it, bury it in their garden or whatever else....In the cooler it goes.
If someone else wants to to slit its throat and throw it in the bushes, I'll hand em the knife.

[acabtp]

No, definitely not the same thing. This regulation is pointless and, in my opinion, needs to be changed to either release immediately or kill them to prevent transporting live fish to other water bodies. That's the regs that they have dealing with invasives in Florida.

Regardless, there is no getting rid of them. They're here to stay. They have spread throughout major river systems, and there is no chance of getting rid of them. Killing for the sake of killing is just a ridiculous waste.

And all the science to this point indicates they are not a problem. Nor will they be a problem. They are ecologically the same as a bowfin. They fill the same niche. Just two species that evolved in similar habitats on different continents. They aren't the monster the media made them out to be.

if you think the law should be changed, then work to change the law. not following the law just because you don't agree with or like it is the exact same thing the poachers do.

[reason162]

Regardless, there is no getting rid of them. They're here to stay. They have spread throughout major river systems, and there is no chance of getting rid of them. Killing for the sake of killing is just a ridiculous waste.

Exactly...it would be an entirely pointless exercise.

[reason162]

this is a terrible attitude. the law is the law. your personal opinion doesn't enter in to it. if you don't like it, make public comments, lobby the council and get the law changed.

doing whatever you want instead makes you no better than the guy keeping a bucket full of 8" bass.

Lol...let's think about this for a moment.

Assuming the snakehead survives release, me catching it and returning it to the water is simply maintaining the status quo of the environment as I found it. You really think the state has the right to compel me to kill...anything?

Has there been any cases of this law being applied to anyone? Anyone get a ticket for releasing snakeheads into the same water body it was caught?

[Wilson]

I have no opinion. If i catch one I'd probably take a picture, throw it back and keep fishing. Pretty much what I do with everything i catch in freshwater. If i knew someone who wanted to eat it, mount it, bury it in their garden or whatever else....In the cooler it goes.
If someone else wants to to slit its throat and throw it in the bushes, I'll hand em the knife.
This^^^^^^^^


Fishing without a license, bag and size limits, closed seasons and litterbugs is what laws I would like to see enforced.
F&G takes like 3 years to change or establish a "new" law. Steeped in tradition uneffected by progress or technolgy.

Snakeheads and flatheads are here to stay regardless of the law.

[Charlie B]

Just one question. If you disregard this law, where do you draw the line on following other laws? Just wondering...Charlie

[ScowardNJ]

Just one question. If you disregard this law, where do you draw the line on following other laws? Just wondering...Charlie

Right around pettiness

[Chrisper4694]

you could get an entire group of guys to devote their entire fishing season to catching and killing them, still not going to stop them from existing. They make a great game fish, the state should just accept it....that being said i don't have time to deal with the state's ridiculous politics either so it is what it is i guess!

[FASTEDDIE29]

In my America we don’t kill for fun. We kill to survive and defend ourselves. I’m not doing any hits on fish unless I’m getting paid. I’ve retired from my mercenary career. Killing something because you are told is extremism! I can’t agree with that, sorry!

The Snakehead is an awesome gamefish that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Take a ride to south Jersey if you haven’t caught one! The bite and fight is super intense! Very strong fish!!!:D

[NorthJerzyG]

This^^^^^^^^


Fishing without a license, bag and size limits, closed seasons and litterbugs is what laws I would like to see enforced.
F&G takes like 3 years to change or establish a "new" law. Steeped in tradition uneffected by progress or technolgy.

Snakeheads and flatheads are here to stay regardless of the law.

+1 on this. Don't remember the last time I had my fishing license, size and number of kept fish, or boat registration checked other than opening day trout fishing. I'd worry about enforcement on these areas rather than debate c&r laws on invasives.

Not to mention, seems like a tough court case to win if someone is issued a summons and decides to fight it. Without an actual photo of the release, how could they prove it? Not exactly like getting caught WITH the evidence........... :D

[reason162]

Not to mention, seems like a tough court case to win if someone is issued a summons and decides to fight it. Without an actual photo of the release, how could they prove it? Not exactly like getting caught WITH the evidence........... :D

Enforcement would be an issue, but the mandated killing of anything is an oddball reg in and of itself.

Say an invasive lizard snuck its way into your house, placing itself within your power. Would a law that requires you to kill it be constitutional in any way?

I don't see it. Especially when the state has pretty much given up eradication.

[HerringKing]

In my America we don’t kill for fun. We kill to survive and defend ourselves. I’m not doing any hits on fish unless I’m getting paid. I’ve retired from my mercenary career. Killing something because you are told is extremism! I can’t agree with that, sorry!

The Snakehead is an awesome gamefish that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Take a ride to south Jersey if you haven’t caught one! The bite and fight is super intense! Very strong fish!!!:D

100% agree!

[HerringKing]

Here's my opinion but first let me say that I love everyone on the freshwater board. I will fish with you guys any day. But it seems like its a bunch of northern Jersey fisherman who already have smallies, walleye, muskie, pike wild trout, and salmon telling us south Jersey who only have LMB, pickerel and panfish to kill them. Come on guys. We don't have much down here. Let us have a hard fighting fish. My favorite fish to target is the bowfin and they seem pretty much the same. Just my opinion.

What should be wiped out is the carp. They eat all the weed beds and make every pond down here a mudhole.

When the state stops the bucket brigades then I will listen to what they have to say about snakeheads. Until then its just a great fish to target.

[Ken Lyons]

It seems to me that the Snakehead is going damn near everywhere and sooner than we in many cases would like. The state cannot realistically suggest that we kill them if we catch them. You can’t write a regulation that way but effectively that what it amounts too. I’m not a big fan of regulation but this one was written by people who know more about this than I do not power hungry pols.
Do the Russians know about Snakeheads?

[AndyS]

Imagine for a moment what fishing was like during the Civil War in New Jersey.
Maybe some Pickerel, American Shad and Brook Trout, Yellow Perch, throw in a few Lamprey and Eels.
Look at the list of Native and introduced.
There are 90 species of freshwater fish found in New Jersey waters. Of these 90 species, 60 are native to the state. Five species are truly migratory and are present only seasonally in fresh waters of the state.
There are 17 introduced species, 11 of which are popular game species, a number of which have become naturalized and are commonly found in both lakes and rivers throughout the state. Several species, such as Channel Catfish, Hybrid Striped Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Walleye, which do not reproduce as readily in New Jersey, are maintained through active stocking programs for recreational opportunities.
We could say the stocked Brown Trout are invasive to the native Brook trout and have "displaced" them, such as the recent electro-shocking on Rhinehart Brook to get rid of the Brown Trout.

https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/chkfish.htm

[Lard Almighty]

How many of you have ever caught and released a green sunfish?

[saxmatt]

The Potomac and Delaware rivers have had snakeheads and flatheads for a while now and both rivers are still great fisheries, I haven’t heard of any negative impact. Snakeheads and Flatheads would have a negative impact if they were introduced to smaller bodies of water though, so I think you should be able to catch and release in those 2 rivers but if you keep them you should have to kill them on the spot to prevent people from transporting live fish.

[AndyS]

Round Valley had a good balance between game fish and forage fish, then the Lake Trout were introduced. Come to find out why the fishing for Brown Trout was so good was the fact the forage base was dwindling and the fish were on a feeding frenzy eating what herring they could find. The fishing peaked big time, then the forage base crashed, the rest is history.
Trust me, I will get around to my views about Snakeheads soon, but all things need to be considered, and I think the outlook is grim.

[Sako1]

Good question and lots of well positioned responses on both sides.

I personally would kill them in anticipation of the possibility of helping out a native species. I would also cook em' up given I have never tried one.

On second thought I would tag one and include the name of a fisherman I strongly dislike.

Dave

[Wilson]

Good question and lots of well positioned responses on both sides.

I personally would kill them in anticipation of the possibility of helping out a native species. I would also cook em' up given I have never tried one.

On second thought I would tag one and include the name of a fisherman I strongly dislike.

Dave

Now thats funny:D

[NJSquatch]

in my america we don’t kill for fun. We kill to survive and defend ourselves.

^^^^^^this

[NJSquatch]

depends on the water body type I caught it in.

Riverine systems are robust and the fish have the ability to move to where the food is located. In a lake or pond there is a finite forage base that I could possibly see them impacting.

Watched a pretty good series of Robert Field videos on the topic. He toured the river with a Virginia state biologist who was under the opinion that the snake head is not out competing other fish and the population has stabilized. LMB love the snakehead fry!

Here is the 3rd video in the series with the biologist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R23-ThVeZ8o

Amazing how strong they are. They really have to crank up the electroshock to stun them.


I am not a scientist but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

[Wilson]

Kill or eat them or let them go and why??

So what's does are alustrous and fearless leader think?
And on a side note I'm surprised Jmurr has not posted a picture of himself eating a live snakehead.:D

[Chrisper4694]

Round Valley had a good balance between game fish and forage fish, then the Lake Trout were introduced. Come to find out why the fishing for Brown Trout was so good was the fact the forage base was dwindling and the fish were on a feeding frenzy eating what herring they could find. The fishing peaked big time, then the forage base crashed, the rest is history.
Trust me, I will get around to my views about Snakeheads soon, but all things need to be considered, and I think the outlook is grim.

this happened because the state severely overstocked the lake trout for year because they didn't think they were reproducing naturally...once they found out that they were (and very successfully at that) it was too late they had over saturated the system already. someone dropped the ball on that one, can't just take everything said to be fact. They were wrong about the lake trout reproducing and they and be wrong on a number of other things too...

[Chrisper4694]

So what's does are alustrous and fearless leader think?
And on a side note I'm surprised Jmurr has not posted a picture of himself eating a live snakehead.:D

...in a pink bikini

[Mark B.]

"Embrace The Invasives".

You are not going to stop them. They are here to stay.

[Wilson]

"Embrace The Invasives".

You are not going to stop them. They are here to stay.

So why do they have a kill law?
I could understand a kill if transported law.
Proving thier worth?

[Gerry Zagorski]

...in a pink bikini

Not informed enough on this to have an opinion so just stirring the pot :)

[Wilson]

Not informed enough on this to have an opinion so just stirring the pot :)

Mo money!

[Chrisper4694]

Mo money!

There'd be much more money to be made for the state embracing them as a recreational game fish (i'd imagine more licenses sold in south jersey, with their limited species options, they're exciting to catch and could get many more people hooked on fishing imo). Have tournaments with donations to NJFW or whatever. Add them to the skillful angler list turn it into a friendly competition, etc.

They're not making any money on tickets for people releasing them...They'd have to be standing there watching them do it from start to finish, close enough to clearly identify it from a bowfin. In fact, i'd bet money that there has not been a single ticket given for releasing a snakehead caught in NJ...

And just for the record, my total opinion... more regulations are almost NEVER the answer to any fishing problem in NJ! Mostly because they are so short handed they can't enforce them enough! What would be a better option imo is education: things like, stressing releasing bigger game fish from panfish to stripers and everything in between, teaching people how to safely catch, photo, and release a fish (especially in summer) etc, you could go on and on.

bottom line, the only fact is they are not going to be eradicated by anglers killing what they catch and there is no other feasible way to get rid of them; they are here to stay. Telling people to kill them is white noise at this point no matter what your opinion is on the topic.

[catfishonthelake]

I know everyone is a fisheries biologist and well-versed on the impact of invasive species to our waterways, but this comes down to a simple matter of...the law. I guess someone could make a justification of why they don't have to buy a license, or throw trash on the ground. And hell, I wouldn't even mind seeing the entire Delaware River smallmouth population wiped out if it meant the flatheads are going to grow to 60+ lbs sometime soon. And you know what, the hell with paying my taxes because I don't want a single dollar of it going to support some liberal BS agenda. Cause to me, a lot of what my money goes towards is hell of a lot more unjust than what kind of fish are swimming in NJ. Laws, no matter how justified or how dumb, are there for us to follow, not to interpret, plain and simple.

Now that being said, I caught a snakehead once, and I threw it back, but I did so knowing that I was doing something illegal and not justifying it with some BS rationale that I know better than everyone else.

Snakeheads and flatheads and a ton of other fish are certainly here to stay, but if you want to consider yourself a real sportsman you will abide by all statutes of NJDEP F&G, and all states for that matter, not just the ones you feel are legit. Plain and simple. Do what you're gonna do, but accept what you're doing and don't try and justify it.

If you really think the laws are wrong, then go to a fisheries management meeting and say so, make some noise, write letters, do whatever. But to sit here complaining about the laws, break them and do nothing to get them changed is just ignorant. Look at Andy, you're a wacky dude but probably the one person who doesn't sit on their A$$ and actually gets things accomplished through actions instead of ping pong arguing on message boards.

[Rich196]

I fish all all over in different states, and I hate to tell you, the Snake Heads are here and here to stay. The way I see it, in the last couple years it's just about become a game fish to a lot of people, they LOVE to eat these things. To each their own, but I thrown them back and let them live. Trust me, your not making a difference in killing them. Just IMO

[Wilson]

There'd be much more money to be made for the state embracing them as a recreational game fish (i'd imagine more licenses sold in south jersey, with their limited species options, they're exciting to catch and could get many more people hooked on fishing imo). Have tournaments with donations to NJFW or whatever. Add them to the skillful angler list turn it into a friendly competition, etc.

They're not making any money on tickets for people releasing them...They'd have to be standing there watching them do it from start to finish, close enough to clearly identify it from a bowfin. In fact, i'd bet money that there has not been a single ticket given for releasing a snakehead caught in NJ...

And just for the record, my total opinion... more regulations are almost NEVER the answer to any fishing problem in NJ! Mostly because they are so short handed they can't enforce them enough! What would be a better option imo is education: things like, stressing releasing bigger game fish from panfish to stripers and everything in between, teaching people how to safely catch, photo, and release a fish (especially in summer) etc, you could go on and on.

bottom line, the only fact is they are not going to be eradicated by anglers killing what they catch and there is no other feasible way to get rid of them; they are here to stay. Telling people to kill them is white noise at this point no matter what your opinion is on the topic.
I meant for Gerry...more hits.

But your point is a valid one.

[bassnblues]

Never caught or fished for a snakehead and probably never will...putting the morality aside, I just watched a video about fishing for them in Virginia and the guy said the law is that if relleaeased, it must be done immediately and in the same water as caught and if kept and transported, be killed. Looks like Nj is just behind the times on snakeheads.

[bulletbob]

Some laws are stupid, and blindly following what BIG BROTHER decrees just because they can is ridiculous..
If you don't want to eat the fish [ I would certainly try them], and they are already there, why make a stupid law that you MUST kill them?.. how utterly moronic.. Personally I might kill them myself, but who the hell is the government in telling me i am breaking the law if I want to release it.?.. Who makes these idiot "laws" anyway?..

here in NY the Great,Finger Lakes, St lawrence river, oneida lake, and others,.. are all infested with millions and millions of Round gobies.. they are way more destructive than the snakehead can ever be.. The DEC wants them killed.. Fine.. However, If you catch one in any lake or river where they already exist by the tens of millions, and DARE put it on hook as bait, right where you caught it, you are breaking the law, and fined heavily.. So no, as far as I am concerned ,stupid laws , are just that.. stupid,, and I feel no compelling reason I must blindly follow them because some suit that probably has never even fished says I must... bob

[Gerry Zagorski]

I respect all the opinions here but I also respect the law... We can't just can't pick and choose and ignore the ones we think are stupid. Well, I guess you can but you'll wind up with a ticket or in jail :D:D

The law is the law for everyone and for good reason... If you feel they're stupid then work to change them or the people responsible for making them.

[catfishonthelake]

Some laws are stupid, and blindly following what BIG BROTHER decrees just because they can is ridiculous..
If you don't want to eat the fish [ I would certainly try them], and they are already there, why make a stupid law that you MUST kill them?.. how utterly moronic.. Personally I might kill them myself, but who the hell is the government in telling me i am breaking the law if I want to release it.?.. Who makes these idiot "laws" anyway?..

here in NY the Great,Finger Lakes, St lawrence river, oneida lake, and others,.. are all infested with millions and millions of Round gobies.. they are way more destructive than the snakehead can ever be.. The DEC wants them killed.. Fine.. However, If you catch one in any lake or river where they already exist by the tens of millions, and DARE put it on hook as bait, right where you caught it, you are breaking the law, and fined heavily.. So no, as far as I am concerned ,stupid laws , are just that.. stupid,, and I feel no compelling reason I must blindly follow them because some suit that probably has never even fished says I must... bob

So how do we figure out which laws are idiotic and which ones are legit? I happen to think that fishing for stocked trout is about the dumbest thing you can do, so can I just cast net them and use them for bait? Actually, you're not allowed to use a cast net in trout streams and that's pretty dumb because there is some primo bait in there.

And you're not supposed to use live trout for bait in Furnace Lake, but that's pretty dumb and idiotic because the rainbows you can purchased are certified disease-free AND the Musky Trout Hatchery has told me they have taken a financial hit because of the law.

And why can't I cast net herring in Lake Hopatcong and use them in the Delaware, especially the big ones over 6 -inches because they're the ones that look more like the anadromous herring that come up the river for stripers to feed on.

And shouldn't people be keeping like 20 lakers from RV since they're all stunted and need to be culled anyway?

And why the hell do I have to get my boat washed when I go up to Lake George this weekend? All those lakes have gobies and zebra mussels and I'm sure as hell not going to make a difference, esp coming from NJ where we don't have them.

Just curious as to who makes the decision as to which laws are legit and which are not.

Cause if y'all ain't paying attention to the laws I'm gonna start cast netting all your stocked trout and keeping the 7- and 8- pound bass I catch on musky lures from 4/15 to 6/15 for dinner because I can get nice big filets on them and I mean how much is a couple big female bass going to hurt the population anyway? :p

[NorthJerzyG]

So, you've never driven over the speed limit? Not even a little........ :D

[catfishonthelake]

So, you've never driven over the speed limit? Not even a little........ :D

I break the speed limit all the time. I've taken my 25hp on a 10hp limit lake. I'm no angel, but I can admit I'm doing something wrong and not try to justify it with the fact that the laws are bogus. I can show you 15 no right on reds in Union Cty that are absolutely asinine and shouldn't be there, and I blow them all the time. But if I get pulled over (and I eventually will), I'll suck it up and not tell the cop that I'm getting it stuck to me by the man because that no right on red shouldn't be there.

I just think it's a VERY slippery slope when we start deciding ourselves which laws to follow and which ones not to follow. And if we want to be sportsmen, we should follow them whether we think they're right or not, or else go out and do something about it.

[Jerseydix]

Catch and Release in the grease.... final answer.

[Grady2]

Kill em or eat um they don't belong here

[bulletbob]

Sorry, stupid laws are just that.. Some idiotic regulation put in place by a bureaucracy that thinks up regulations so that they can justify their salary... Killing a fish that you don't want to kill because the government says you must by law kill, and if not, you are in violation of DEC regulations??? Some anglers kill nothing, ever, under any condition, as they don't eat fish.. gonna force them to kill against their will??.. Ridiculous...
Sorry, I guess I am just not as noble, upstanding, moral, "good" as most... bob

[bulletbob]

Again an example from my home state.. the gobies in cayuga lake have just about eradicated the slower, and very timid sculpin .. they just can't compete with the ultra aggressive goby, and are doomed to extinction in the lake..
However, i can still put a sculpin on a hook in cayuga by law, although they are being wiped out.. However, the gobies that have destroyed them, and are decimating the lake are off limits as far as using for bait in the lake they have already ruined.. Some "fisheries expert" dreamed that law up, and most anglers adhere to it I imagine.. So protect the invader in this case, and do NOT protect the species going extinct because of them.. Makes perfect sense to some i guess. Not to me.... bob

[JDTuna]

So how do we figure out which laws are idiotic and which ones are legit? I happen to think that fishing for stocked trout is about the dumbest thing you can do, so can I just cast net them and use them for bait? Actually, you're not allowed to use a cast net in trout streams and that's pretty dumb because there is some primo bait in there.

And you're not supposed to use live trout for bait in Furnace Lake, but that's pretty dumb and idiotic because the rainbows you can purchased are certified disease-free AND the Musky Trout Hatchery has told me they have taken a financial hit because of the law.

And why can't I cast net herring in Lake Hopatcong and use them in the Delaware, especially the big ones over 6 -inches because they're the ones that look more like the anadromous herring that come up the river for stripers to feed on.

And shouldn't people be keeping like 20 lakers from RV since they're all stunted and need to be culled anyway?

And why the hell do I have to get my boat washed when I go up to Lake George this weekend? All those lakes have gobies and zebra mussels and I'm sure as hell not going to make a difference, esp coming from NJ where we don't have them.

Just curious as to who makes the decision as to which laws are legit and which are not.

Cause if y'all ain't paying attention to the laws I'm gonna start cast netting all your stocked trout and keeping the 7- and 8- pound bass I catch on musky lures from 4/15 to 6/15 for dinner because I can get nice big filets on them and I mean how much is a couple big female bass going to hurt the population anyway? :p

And stocked trout are that much different than your pond stocked with muskies lol?

As far as the herring regs, you have no way to prove the herring you are using in the Delaware weren't caught there.

NY lakes want to avoid the transport of any invasive weeds or shellfish, so its worthwhile to have people clean their boats.

Protecting bass, or any fish for that matter, during spawning season is just proper management. Keeping one or two isn't a problem, but if you have many people retaining the fish it can be.

Most of what you cited above actually has a purpose. Requiring species to be killed that have spread throughout every major river drainage in the area is pointless.

[reason162]

Most of what you cited above actually has a purpose.

Not only that, none of his examples are even slightly analogous to forcing a citizen to kill anything.

[NorthJerzyG]

I break the speed limit all the time. I've taken my 25hp on a 10hp limit lake. I'm no angel, but I can admit I'm doing something wrong and not try to justify it with the fact that the laws are bogus. I can show you 15 no right on reds in Union Cty that are absolutely asinine and shouldn't be there, and I blow them all the time. But if I get pulled over (and I eventually will), I'll suck it up and not tell the cop that I'm getting it stuck to me by the man because that no right on red shouldn't be there.

I just think it's a VERY slippery slope when we start deciding ourselves which laws to follow and which ones not to follow. And if we want to be sportsmen, we should follow them whether we think they're right or not, or else go out and do something about it.

So what your saying is, just because you don't follow "some" laws, doesn't mean you WILL violate others?

[Sigma1073]

My opinion on snakeheads is that I want to catch one to check the box and then eat it... As for the law I'll follow it until it's changed. God knows every time I catch a fluke just under 18in it takes a lot for me to throw it back but in the end I do.

[Home Depot George]

I've seen snakeheads decimate small ponds here in Florida so I'll gladly kill them and leave them for the gators to eat.

[JDTuna]

I've seen snakeheads decimate small ponds here in Florida so I'll gladly kill them and leave them for the gators to eat.

Actually, they've had no effect is South Florida. Been in that small section of Broward for over 20 years and there have been no issues.

[Chrisper4694]

I break the speed limit all the time. I've taken my 25hp on a 10hp limit lake. I'm no angel, but I can admit I'm doing something wrong and not try to justify it with the fact that the laws are bogus. I can show you 15 no right on reds in Union Cty that are absolutely asinine and shouldn't be there, and I blow them all the time. But if I get pulled over (and I eventually will), I'll suck it up and not tell the cop that I'm getting it stuck to me by the man because that no right on red shouldn't be there.

I just think it's a VERY slippery slope when we start deciding ourselves which laws to follow and which ones not to follow. And if we want to be sportsmen, we should follow them whether we think they're right or not, or else go out and do something about it.

imo, it's a much more slippery slope to blindly follow stupid rules that tell you to kill stuff for no reason... if we're going to be making ridiculous comparisons, The Nazis once had some stupid rules... I doubt you're ok with those rules just because they said so...

We can all piss back and forth all day, doesn't matter, you'll never kill enough of them to make a difference. If the state embraced, accepted them and educated people on them like all the other game fish it would be much more beneficial. more people would target them, keep legal creel limits, maybe more people would buy fishing licenses in southern jersey, etc...idk, anything is better than the current rule (which, btw, is most likely only still in place because no one at the state feels like bothering to update it, to match other state's similar rules for ESTABLISHED invasive species)

Maybe it was worth a try when they were first discovered, but it's over; it's too late! You want to eat them, eat them; you want to kill them for no reason and think you're making a difference (even though you're not) go for it.

[bigfishy]

Just wanna try one to find out if billions of Asian ppl
Are on to something.....here there better than walleye
And perch

[Calva]

I think it's great that the opinions on these fish are starting to change.
I fish for snakeheads on a regular basis and I can tell you from extensive personal experience that these fish are very much misunderstood. They are not the monsters that the media portrays them to be.

In the areas that i fish people are catching more bass than they used to. Enormous schools baitfish are abundant there as well. The fishery seems to be happy and healthy but we need the state to do some actual research instead of riding the initial hysteria regarding these fish. If these fish are damaging our ecosystem as they say they are there should be documented research showing that. I've searched everywhere and cannot find any...

Please don't get me wrong, these fish should not have been illegally introduced here and no one should ever try to introduce them into new bodies
of water. Their long term effects are still unknown.

As for the law, other states have stated that it would be illegal for them to require to kill something that you catch so I don't know how NJ is planning on getting around this. I completely understand why you cannot transport these fish alive but being "required" to kill these fish is ridiculous and possibly illegal.

[AndyS]

With all the new found love for invasive species I move to shut down the Hackettstown fish hatchery now. Think of the money we can save by the public taking matters into their own hands and stocking whatever they feel like. I move to stop production of pike, muskellunge, catfish and bass. We can cut the cost of licenses in half, and maybe stock a few trout in the spring and fall for the Power Cheese bridge banging crews.
After that we can also remove at least of half of the game wardens off the pay-roll because people are just taking matters into their own hands anyway and are going to do whatever they please.
I'm on my way to the pet store now now, any requests ???

(can you see where this is going)

[thmyorke1]

I'm on my way to the pet store now now, any requests ???

(can you see where this is going)

Yes I see where this is going... Brown trout in the raritan :D Wooohoooo!

But to be serious, i dont believe accepting snakeheads is evil. I think everyone here could agree introducing them on purpose is frowned upon, and not following the law to kill on catch in a body of water that is already populated with them, is accepted.

[NJSquatch]

I'm on my way to the pet store now now, any requests ???

cichlids please:D

[AndyS]

Everyone on here agreed time and time again that the biologists and staff over at New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife are doing a great job, then it was written on page 44 that if caught a Snakehead should be destroyed. Suddenly we all took matters into our own hands and told the biologists they have no clue what they are talking about. I find it awfully hard for a fish to reproduce sitting in a frying pan or at the bottom of a dumpster.
"Bucket brigades have decimated certain ponds and lakes of all fish" What if all Snakeheads caught were thrown into buckets, established yes, but hard pressed to keep advancing when they are dead. As it is clear to see I have no love for this ugly nasty looking fish at all. I fear Flatheads in the Delaware river even more because after they have eaten everything the next thing on the menu will be the American Shad. Please don't try to convince me that a 40 pound catfish only eats sunfish.
I think if you release a Snakehead back into where it was caught then you are no better that the moron that released it from his aquarium. Instead of taking the low road and chest beating saying I am going to do whatever I want and no one can tell me other wise, take the high road and side with the State biologists who I think are looking out for the benefit of us all.

[JDTuna]

Everyone on here agreed time and time again that the biologists and staff over at New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife are doing a great job, then it was written on page 44 that if caught a Snakehead should be destroyed. Suddenly we all took matters into our own hands and told the biologists they have no clue what they are talking about. I find it awfully hard for a fish to reproduce sitting in a frying pan or at the bottom of a dumpster.
"Bucket brigades have decimated certain ponds and lakes of all fish" What if all Snakeheads caught were thrown into buckets, established yes, but hard pressed to keep advancing when they are dead. As it is clear to see I have no love for this ugly nasty looking fish at all. I fear Flatheads in the Delaware river even more because after they have eaten everything the next thing on the menu will be the American Shad. Please don't try to convince me that a 40 pound catfish only eats sunfish.
I think if you release a Snakehead back into where it was caught then you are no better that the moron that released it from his aquarium. Instead of taking the low road and chest beating saying I am going to do whatever I want and no one can tell me other wise, take the high road and side with the State biologists who I think are looking out for the benefit of us all.

If you want to remove all invasives, you should also mention large and smallmouth bass and walleye. None of which are native to NJ.

Flatheads coexist throughout the country with just about every species that they encounter in the Delaware, yet there are no issues. The issues facing American shad revolve around environmental problems like loss of spawning habitat, damming, etc. Not catfish.

As far as I know, NJ is not researching snakeheads. Nor is their "invasive" law specifically tailored to that species. It is an antiquated, ineffective, blanket law that has no purpose. It requires people to kill some invasives, but not others. And, at the end of the day, it doesnt matter.

Btw, biologists that have been researching snakeheads in the Northeast and Florida have not found any negative impact in the few decades that snakeheads have been present in the US.

[Flygaff]

I do believe that the invasives are a problem. The Carp issues, Walking catfish and so on. I have been diving the carib for the past 30 years. I have watched the Lionfish invasion take over the reefs. they moved in and the Grouper and snapper became their food source. I have seen reports of the lionfish now as far north as Delaware. Really cool looking fish and they are really great to eat. Better than Sea Bass. However, where ever they go, everything else is devastated. Just my two cents.

[AndyS]

Bass and and walleye are INTRODUCED, a far cry from INVASIVE.

[bigfishy]

Finally!!!!!a thread in the freshwater section where
Everybody is NOT trying to kiss everyone's asss... gr8
Discussion!!!carry on

[JDTuna]

Bass and and walleye are INTRODUCED, a far cry from INVASIVE.

You're splitting hairs. Technically, snakeheads and flatheads are introduced species as well, just not introduced by the state.

They are all non-native species that have established naturally reproducing populations.

[Chrisper4694]

i like koolaid

[NJSquatch]

How far North have the snake heads gotten and are they any where besides the Delaware and its tribs?

[Mark B.]

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/fwfisheries/invasive_snakehead10.pdf

The only northern report, was one shot by a bow angler in the Del. River, Warren Co. They prefer the slower backwaters of the S. Del. River tribs.

[catfishonthelake]

And stocked trout are that much different than your pond stocked with muskies lol?

As far as the herring regs, you have no way to prove the herring you are using in the Delaware weren't caught there.

NY lakes want to avoid the transport of any invasive weeds or shellfish, so its worthwhile to have people clean their boats.

Protecting bass, or any fish for that matter, during spawning season is just proper management. Keeping one or two isn't a problem, but if you have many people retaining the fish it can be.

Most of what you cited above actually has a purpose. Requiring species to be killed that have spread throughout every major river drainage in the area is pointless.

I am well aware of all of that information. And though you completely missed my point, you actually proved it if you go back and carefully read what you read. ;)

Just saying, as evidenced by 7 pages of this thread, that one could make an argument about how stupid or how just a whole lot of laws are, and as sportsmen we shouldn't be deciphering which are which and if we feel strongly we should do something to change them.

Thanks for also reminding me why I stopped posting on this board. :D

[Jigman13]

i like koolaid

I like 'turdles'

[JDTuna]

I am well aware of all of that information. And though you completely missed my point, you actually proved it if you go back and carefully read what you read. ;)

Just saying, as evidenced by 7 pages of this thread, that one could make an argument about how stupid or how just a whole lot of laws are, and as sportsmen we shouldn't be deciphering which are which and if we feel strongly we should do something to change them.

Thanks for also reminding me why I stopped posting on this board. :D

No, your point was very clear. And my point is that virtually everything you mentioned in your examples are regulations that have a conservation benefit, in other words a purpose. I informed you on why those regulations have a purpose or a scientific basis. Blindly killing species termed invasive when they are clearly well established throughout major river basins, on the other hand, is pointless and has zero benefit. Which is why most states don't have that ridiculously antiquated, pointless rule. I worked in fisheries management for a state that has sensible rules. Either release immediately, or kill it. Just no live transport. By the way, thank you for proving my point.

This reminds you why YOU no longer post here? Now that is funny. You dont post here because you don't want to deal with having a civil, respectful discussion? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the only one who came on here and said people are "stupid" for partaking in a fishery that's virtually identical to one you enjoy. Nobody wants to hear your hypocritical, condescending comments.

Honestly, this is probably the only internet board where everyone is helpful, respectful and supportive. It's a pleasure being part of it. However, you only seem hop on here and post to make condescending comments or stir the pot.

Reminds you of why you don't post here...that's a good one, Mark.

[Chrisper4694]

No, your point was very clear. And my point is that virtually everything you mentioned in your examples are regulations that have a conservation benefit, in other words a purpose. I informed you on why those regulations have a purpose or a scientific basis. Blindly killing species termed invasive when they are clearly well established throughout major river basins, on the other hand, is pointless and has zero benefit. Which is why most states don't have that ridiculously antiquated, pointless rule. I worked in fisheries management for a state that has sensible rules. Either release immediately, or kill it. Just no live transport. By the way, thank you for proving my point.

This reminds you why YOU no longer post here? Now that is funny. You dont post here because you don't want to deal with having a civil, respectful discussion? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the only one who came on here and said people are "stupid" for partaking in a fishery that's virtually identical to one you enjoy. Nobody wants to hear your hypocritical, condescending comments.

Honestly, this is probably the only internet board where everyone is helpful, respectful and supportive. It's a pleasure being part of it. However, you only seem hop on here and post to make condescending comments or stir the pot.

Reminds you of why you don't post here...that's a good one, Mark.

but snakeheads are evil and mean fish...blue catfish are chubby cuddly cuties!

*gets popcorn and koolaid...and turdels?*

[reason162]

Can we get this variety in NJ? What a glorious fish!

http://www.biggame-fishingthailand.com/images/fishing/kewcorma/2012/Giant%20snakehead%20thailand%202012.jpg

[Chrisper4694]

Can we get this variety in NJ? What a glorious fish!

http://www.biggame-fishingthailand.com/images/fishing/kewcorma/2012/Giant%20snakehead%20thailand%202012.jpg

Andy, see if the pet store has this!!!!

[thmyorke1]

Andy, see if the pet store has this!!!!

Just spray paint a bowfin and voilà

[FASTEDDIE29]

How far North have the snake heads gotten and are they any where besides the Delaware and its tribs?

4 lb. Snakehead was caught at the mouth of the Brodhead creek. I was there when it went down!:D