Missouri Warns If You See This Fish, Kill It Immediately

As anglers head to Missouri rivers and lakes to fish, the Department of Conservation has issued a warning about a fish that you need to kill immediately if you catch it or see it.

It's rare for the state of Missouri to issue a kill order on a fish, but there's a good reason why they've done it for this one. This is what it looks like.

This is the Northern Snakehead Fish and it's a big problem.

Where are you likely to see the Northern Snakehead in Missouri?

The Missouri Department of Conservation says you'll find this invasive beast in muddy and "shallow, stagnant water". The state warns the Northern Snakehead is a "large, fast-growing, fast-reproducing fish become the top predators and may potentially lead to a decline in our bass, crappie, and other fish populations". There are also concerns that these invasive fish are carrying diseases to make matters worse.

This fish is of such concern in Missouri that the Department of Conservation wants you to report it if you see it and kill it immediately if you catch it.

How can you kill a Northern Snakehead fish?

The USGS says do not throw it back in the water if you catch one. You also should not toss them onto a bank and think you're safe. They are air-breathers and can live on land a long time. The best way to deal with a Northern Snakehead is to put it on ice and freeze it. That not only will kill it, but then you can turn it over to the state of Missouri for study.