They are an invasive freshwater species of fish, native to Asia, and highly predatory. Once they get into a waterway they can decimate native species of fish. And they can get into waterways because they breathe air with their gills, migrate up to 1/4 mile over land by wriggling with their bodies and fins, and can survive on land up to four days. They have been established in MD since 2002, and the DNR seems to have accepted that they are here to stay. You are not required to kill them if you catch them, but it is illegal to transport live snakeheads.
Justin is usually a catch-and-release fisherman, but he had heard that snakeheads are quite good to eat, so we got to find out for ourselves.
He caught two of them only a mile away from our house! Justin is not easily excited but I could hear the excitement in his voice when he called and said "I have very good news!" I went to pick him up as he had just fished his way up the creek from the house but didn't want to carry ten pounds of fish back.
He fileted them and I fixed them two ways, baked and fried. They were both delicious and among the favorite things I have eaten.
Until he was no longer able to go fishing, my husband was a lifelong avid fisherman. I miss fresh fish so much! My favorite has always been crappie, but we have eaten lots of types of fish. No snake heads, though! What does a snake head taste like? I'm glad Justin found recreation so close to home, and yes, they are ugly! LOL Happy Monday, Bonny.
ReplyDeleteOh man! Those really are some ugly fish Bonny! And they do look so snake-like they give me the creeps - lol. I think I remember reading something about them (being invasive, etc.). Glad they ended up being so tasty!
ReplyDeleteEek, those are some scary-looking fish! (Full disclosure: fish kind of give me the willies anyway.) I'm glad that Justin did a good deed by getting them out of the waterways and you all got to benefit with a good meal!
ReplyDeletemy dad is a fisherman and I recall many many meals with fish he had caught. I'm glad that the house in Maryland has some benefits!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Those really are ugly fish -- but fascinating! The snakeskin markings are really kind of awesome. And what a bonus that they taste great, too. (Wait til I show Tom. . . )
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of these and boy are they ugly! I'm glad they tasted good, though. I generally don't enjoy eating fresh water fish so I'm definitely intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why the DNR would have that stance regarding an invasive species. I immediately equate that term with BAD (and UGLY doesn't help...) and the connections in my brain would also make me think that it would be bad to eat. But it's one of your favorite things ever? Hm... m'brain might need a little re-wiring. Haha!
ReplyDeleteWell! This post is full of all kinds of interesting information! Yay Justin for providing for a delicious meal!
ReplyDeleteThose fish sure don't look like they'd be delicious, but I believe you. Never judge a fish by its scales!
ReplyDeleteYour words of wisdom made me laugh! :-)
DeleteNever heard of them! They can live on land for 4 days? WOW. Glad they were delicious as promised
ReplyDeleteMy dad was an inveterate fisherman but I don't ever recall snakeheads...probably not based on info you provided in the beginning of this post. I'm with Kym - so glad they taste good 'cause they are indeed U-gly!
ReplyDeletewhoa ... ugly AND snake-like. I'm glad there's SOMEthing redeeming about them, and still, not sure I'd be willing to taste (insert yikes!! face here!)
ReplyDeleteYou've taught your sons well! They not only can catch dinner they can cook it! While I have heard of snakehead fish I didn't know they were good eating.
ReplyDeleteI love it! And now I want to eat snakeheads. Not much chance of that in Wisconsin, however.
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