In June 2025, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized Matt Foreman of Crownsville as the new state record holder for northern snakehead (Channa argus) in the state’s Invasive Division.
Foreman harvested the 21.8-pound fish on the evening of June 7 in the Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam. The fish was more than 36 inches long.
Forman shot the monster snakehead while on a Working Class Outdoorsman charter, captained by Nick Mather. The 26-foot aluminum vessel was outfitted with a custom lighting system to search for fish.
Foreman’s catch surpassed the previous 21.0-pound record northern snakehead caught in 2023 by Damien Cook in a Dorchester County river.
Cook’s fish also earned him a world record from the International Game Fish Association, which still stands for hook-and-line fishing. (The International Game Fish Association does not recognize fish harvested while spearfishing or bowfishing.)
In addition to setting a new Maryland state record, Foreman’s fish also earned him a Maryland record from the Bowfishing Association of America.
Foreman, an avid bowhunter, enjoys bow fishing with Mather. During this trip the charter stopped at six locations and killed 26 Channa and one blue catfish, all shot from a distance of 10 feet or less. Captain Mather said this is the best snakehead fishing he’s seen in seven years.
Renamed to Chesapeake Channa by Maryland legislation in 2024, the northern snakehead is an invasive species now common throughout Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay tidal waters.
Northern snakeheads have become popular for sportfishing. There is no season or limit for invasive fish in Maryland.
More information about northern snakeheads and other aquatic invasive species is available on the Department of Natural Resources website.
DNR encourages anglers to kill all invasive species they catch, and reminds them that it is illegal to transport a live snakehead.
DNR maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive.
Anglers who believe they have a potential record catch should download and complete a state record application and call 443-569-1398 to report it. DNR recommends immersing the fish in ice water to preserve its weight until it can be inspected, confirmed, and certified.
source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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