Bow and Arrow Fishing Leads Fight Against Invasive Snakehead in Chesapeake

A Maryland Department of Natural Resources study shows bowfishing is the most effective method for removing invasive northern snakehead fish from Chesapeake Bay waters. Bowfishers using bows and arrows are catching more of the larger breeding females than traditional anglers, helping control the population of these Asian fish that threaten local ecosystems.

Researchers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have discovered that anglers using bows and arrows are leading the charge in removing invasive northern snakehead fish from Chesapeake Bay waters.

The research, featured in the journal Integrated and Comparative Biology, shows that bowfishing and gigging techniques far surpass traditional fishing methods, commercial operations, and government removal efforts when it comes to harvesting these unwanted fish species.

Scientists found that bowfishing enthusiasts are particularly effective at catching larger female snakeheads carrying more eggs, which is crucial for preventing population expansion of these invasive predators.

Northern snakeheads, originally from Asia, were illegally released into Maryland waterways during the early 2000s. These fish possess natural advantages that help them thrive in environments where they face few natural threats, making them extremely challenging for wildlife officials to control.

The species has spread so extensively throughout the Chesapeake region that complete elimination appears impossible. Instead, natural resource managers are concentrating on reducing their numbers and discovering ways to use them beneficially while minimizing their harm to native fish populations that support recreational and commercial fishing industries.

Bowfishing has emerged as a favored technique among sportsmen targeting these fish. Rather than using traditional rod and reel setups, participants shoot arrows attached to retrieval lines at fish they can see in the water.

“Bowfishing is an important component of the fishery, annually removing approximately 20% of the population in the upper Chesapeake Bay,” said study author and DNR biologist Dr. Joseph Love. “We are always looking for creative, responsible ways to get us closer to our needed targets for managing these populations.”

Between 2022 and 2024, researchers partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office to tag snakeheads and gather information from charter boat captains specializing in bowfishing. Scientists collected information through direct participation in bowfishing charters, captain logbooks from customer trips, and reports from both bowfishers and traditional anglers who caught tagged specimens.

During 2024, ten charter captains documented over 550 bowfishing excursions across 17 different rivers. Most outings lasted approximately five hours with four participants on average. While catches ranged from none to over 30 fish per trip, typical excursions resulted in about ten snakeheads removed. Peak harvesting occurred during spring and fall seasons, particularly during full and new moon phases.

“We learned how many they harvested per night, but needed to learn more about what that meant for the fishery,” Love said.

During the tagging study in upper Chesapeake waters, biologists marked 657 snakeheads with tracking tags. Of the 149 tags eventually recovered, bowfishers reported 80 compared to 65 from traditional anglers. After accounting for reporting differences, researchers confirmed that bowfishing accounts for a larger portion of total snakehead removal than conventional fishing methods.

Government removal efforts through electrofishing surveys represented only a small fraction of annual harvests, confirming what managers and anglers already suspected about bowfishing’s significant impact.

Studies have demonstrated that snakehead introduction has negatively affected native fish communities, prompting the department to encourage harvesting all caught specimens. No limits or seasons restrict invasive fish removal, and snakeheads are considered excellent table fare. Due to their widespread distribution, numerous locations offer opportunities for anglers to target them.

Those interested in booking bowfishing charters for snakeheads can search for guides through Maryland’s Outdoor Recreation Business Directory, maintained by DNR’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.