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Invasive snake-like fish spotted for fourth time in Missouri

WAYNE COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed the presence of a fourth northern snakehead in the state, an invasive species that the agency says should be killed if you reel it in.

A fisher in Wayne County reeled in a northern snakehead on May 25 in the Wappapello Lake Spillway.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says this is the fourth northern snakehead reeled in from Missouri waters on record. There have been three reported snakehead sightings since the 2023 calendar year.

Snakeheads are native to Asia, though they are considered aggressive predators in U.S. waters. MDC says they prey on native species and compete for resources. Snakeheads have a snake-like appearance with a longer anal fin than a similar-looking bowfin fish.

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Joey Schneider, ozarksfirst.com)

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