It may sound like something out of science fiction: A three-foot-long fish that can breathe air, “walk” on land and survive for days out of the water, but the northern snakehead is very real. Perhaps more importantly, it’s very invasive.
You may see these kinds of headlines: These Large, Snake-Like Fish Are Invading the United States—and Authorities Want You to Kill Them. But are they in New Jersey?
Yes, the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) is firmly established in New Jersey. They are classified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as a "Potentially Dangerous Species" due to their invasive nature and the threat they pose to native aquatic ecosystems. They were first confirmed in New Jersey in 2009 and have since spread significantly.
Northern snakeheads are a predatory invasive fish originally from Asia that survive in freshwater lakes, creeks, rivers, and even muddy wetlands. They’re known for aggressive behavior, air-breathing ability, and fast spread.
They are most common in the Delaware River and its many tidal tributaries throughout South and Central Jersey. Current hotspots are the counties of Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington which have seen the highest concentrations.
They have been reported as far north as Sussex County near the New York and Pennsylvania borders. They inhabit a variety of environments, including rivers, lakes, ponds, and even stagnant, low-oxygen ditches.
The warm months (late spring – summer) are when snakeheads are most active and easier to encounter near shorelines and vegetation. They prefer shallow, warm, vegetated water with slow current — lily pads, weedbeds, and quiet backwaters are typical. They can breathe air and survive in low-oxygen water, making them adaptable to many habitats.
They eat almost anything, including native fish (like bass and perch), frogs, and even small birds, outcompeting local species for food. Snakeheads are "top-tier" predators with a "slash-and-grab" feeding style.
They are air-breathers and can survive out of water for several days in damp conditions, allowing them to migrate across land to reach new water bodies.
They spawn multiple times a year and guard their young, which leads to rapid population growth.
Snakeheads are frequently confused with the native Bowfin. You can tell the difference by the anal fin (the fin on the bottom rear): a snakehead’s anal fin is very long (nearly half its body length), while a Bowfin’s is quite short. The bowfin is native to North American freshwater systems and has a long dorsal fin only on top — unlike northern snakeheads, which have both long dorsal and long anal fins on the underside.
Important Rules for Anglers (2026 Regulations)
If you catch a Northern Snakehead in New Jersey, you must follow specific legal protocols:
- It is strictly illegal to possess, transport, or release a live snakehead.
- Anglers are required to destroy the fish immediately. You cannot keep them alive in a bucket or on a stringer.
- You are allowed to keep them for food, but they must be dead before you leave the water.
- The NJDEP encourages reporting catches via their Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Reporting Form to help track their spread.
