Flatheads in the D&R Canal

[Almaink]

I've been pulling lots of these Flathead Cats out of the D&R Canal lately. Mostly small ones but with a worm on a hook you get one almost every cast in some spots. Today I caught and disposed of 5. Others fishing didn't even know we are supposed to kill them and have been putting them back! F&G really need to do a better job educating people about these things before they take over like the Snakeheads are doing.

[Delawareriver]

Please post a picture, unfortunately they are here to stay but definitely isn't a bad idea to slow their spread if we can

[mcfish82]

U sure they are not just bullheads?? Canal is loaded with em

[Delawareriver]

Originally Posted by mcfish82

U sure they are not just bullheads?? Canal is loaded with em

Kinda what I'm thinking

[Mark B.]

Received the below email:

** MESSAGE **
SUBJECT: flathead catfish I think

To whom it may concern,
I was walking along the canal about 6pm today (5/6/14) in Lambertville, NJ
close to Nieces Lumber and saw what looked like a giant (the size of a
brown labrador dog) creature. It remained under the water after surfacing
for only half a minute so I couldn't get another glimpse of it and I did
wait a while and did see movement and large rings created by the movement of the water. When I got home, I started to investigate and realized it most
likely was a very large Flathead Catfish (what ELSE could it have been??).
It had the flat head mouth and long body behind it. One of the articles I
read states that we are to contact the wildlife and fishery department to
let them know because they are destructive to the natural habitat. If this
is not the right person to let know, then maybe you can help out and send
this off to the right person. I'm never going swimming in the canal now
because it was like the creature from the dark lagoon surfacing and then
disappearing. Very strange.

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

Received the below email:

** MESSAGE **
SUBJECT: flathead catfish I think

To whom it may concern,
I was walking along the canal about 6pm today (5/6/14) in Lambertville, NJ
close to Nieces Lumber and saw what looked like a giant (the size of a
brown labrador dog) creature. It remained under the water after surfacing
for only half a minute so I couldn't get another glimpse of it and I did
wait a while and did see movement and large rings created by the movement of the water. When I got home, I started to investigate and realized it most
likely was a very large Flathead Catfish (what ELSE could it have been??).
It had the flat head mouth and long body behind it. One of the articles I
read states that we are to contact the wildlife and fishery department to
let them know because they are destructive to the natural habitat. If this
is not the right person to let know, then maybe you can help out and send
this off to the right person. I'm never going swimming in the canal now
because it was like the creature from the dark lagoon surfacing and then
disappearing. Very strange.

Someone has been watching too many River Monsters episodes..

[Delawareriver]

Don't worry reporting it, there has been hundreds reported in the river there. They know they are there in force more interested in knowing how far north they will travel. Right now have confirmed reports up to belvedere but reports up in the water gap and one all the way up in ny.

[Mark B.]

Almaink,

Catch a bluegill,………live line it behind Niece’s,………..& hang on!

DRCie, The D&R Canal Monster!

[jimcnj]

So if I land one these beasts , do I toss it in a garbage can for the racoons?

[Delawareriver]

Originally Posted by jimcnj

So if I land one these beasts , do I toss it in a garbage can for the racoons?

That's up to you, Pennsylvania gave up and admits they are here to stay In the Delaware river and Schuylkill. Say nothing worked to slow them down and created a pretty cool fishery with 40 lb fish caught on a some what regular basis now and one or two reported over 50 but not confirmed by state. I know myself and friends have caught 6 over 40lbs.
If you catch one outside of the Delaware river water shed I would say kill it especially If it's clean water they are extremely tasty.