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Northern Snakehead

Northern Snakehead

Northern Snakehead are invasive predatory fish native to Asia that were first discovered in Virginia in 2004 in the Potomac River. They have since established populations throughout most major Virginia river drainages.

Scientific Name: Channa argus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Can reach lengths up to 36 inches and weights around 20 pounds in Virginia.
  • They have elongate bodies with long dorsal and anal fins, brown coloration with dark snakelike mottling, sharp teeth, and scales covering their head and body.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Established populations throughout most major Virginia river drainages.
  • They prefer sluggish waters with dense submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), spatterdock beds, and muddy or silty bottoms.

Key Locations

  • Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James Rivers, along with numerous reservoirs.
  • Tidal Potomac tributaries (Little Hunting Creek, Dogue Creek, Pohick Creek, Occoquan River, Aquia Creek), the Rappahannock River system, Lake Anna, Burke Lake, and various reservoirs that received illegal stockings.

Specific Spots

  • Target spatterdock edges, fallen trees, and woody debris in early spring.
  • As vegetation grows, focus on SAV beds, hydrilla mats, and lily pad edges in 1-3 feet of water.

Northern Snakehead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Northern Snakehead in Virginia?

Hollow-bodied frogs (Ribbit Frogs, Googan Filthy Frogs), buzzbaits, soft plastic frogs, topwater poppers, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits, and weightless soft plastics like Zoom Flukes rigged Texas-style.

What flies work for Northern Snakehead in Virginia?

Topwater mouse and frog patterns, Clouser Minnows, zonkers, Game Changers (various sizes), Finesse Game Changers, and foam divers.

When is the best time to fish for Northern Snakehead in Virginia?

Spring through summer (April-September) offers the best fishing, with peak activity when water temperatures reach 57-77°F. Pre-spawn fishing begins around 57°F in spring.

How do you catch Northern Snakehead in Virginia?

Use weedless presentations and fish slowly with repeated casts to the same spots - snakehead often need to be "angered" into striking. Fish early spring before vegetation emerges by targeting spatterdock edges, fallen trees, and woody debris.

What do Northern Snakehead eat?

Diet consists primarily of killifish, sunfish, and other small fish (over 97% of diet), plus crustaceans, frogs, and occasionally small terrestrial wildlife.

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