Georgia biologists ask anglers to avoid moving or releasing flathead catfish
into waterbodies where they aren’t typically found. (Keith Sutton photo)
Non-Native Flatheads Turn Up in Georgia River
Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
These big predators can wreak havoc on ecosystems where releases allow them to thrive outside their native range.
Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) staff with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources captured non-native flathead catfish while sampling in the Ogeechee River this August. The sampling work, conducted annually in coastal rivers, helps biologists monitor native species and detect any potential non-native species invasions.
In December 2021, a single flathead was caught in the Ogeechee by a commercial fisherman. Until that catch, no flatheads had been reported in the river, and it was hoped that this was a single, isolated fish that made its way from the nearby Savannah River.
In response, WRD increased targeted flathead sampling efforts to determine if the species had spread further. Although sampled extensively in 2021 and 2022, no additional flatheads were found. But this August, WRD staff captured the first flathead in directed sampling efforts.
Since this collection, more a dozen individual fish have been captured and removed. Recent captures have occurred in a relatively short segment of the river above Interstate Highway 95. WRD staff will continue to conduct extensive sampling efforts in, and around, this portion of the Ogeechee.
Flathead catfish are native to Northwest Georgia drainages but have established reproducing populations in several Atlantic drainages in Georgia, including the Satilla, Altamaha and Savannah Rivers. This predatory species can pose a significant ecological risk when introduced into new waterbodies, primarily through predation on native species such as redbreast sunfish and bullheads. As such, WRD officials are actively seeking the public’s help to protect the state’s native species. Anglers can greatly aid in this effort by not moving or releasing fish into waterbodies in which they are not native.
Additionally, anglers are reminded to harvest and report any non-native flatheads they may capture in the Ogeechee River. Reports can be submitted through the WRD website (GeorgiaWildlife.com/ans). Questions? Reach out to a WRD office (GeorgiaWildlife.com/about/contact).
