Missouri Eleven Point River Northern Snakehead

In September 2026, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced that officials have removed a northern snakehead from a Missouri tributary to the Eleven Point River in Oregon County.

The recent discovery suggests the species is becoming more established in Missouri and highlights the importance of anglers reporting any suspected encounters with this invasive fish.

“This is the first time we have confirmed the presence of this species in the Missouri portion of the Eleven Point, which suggests they are spreading into Missouri from known populations downstream in Arkansas,” said MDC Invasive Species Ecologist Angela Sokolowski. “This means their presence will impact this important National Wild and Scenic River and the species that call it home.”

At the time of the removal, northern snakeheads were confirmed in only two Missouri river systems, both in southern Missouri. These occurrences, in the St. Francis and Eleven Point Rivers, are connected to established northern snakehead populations in Arkansas, allowing the fish to spread naturally through interconnected waterways.

According to MDC, There are currently no confirmed populations in other Missouri river systems, but tracking the species is important. Invasive species, like the northern snakehead, can be highly competitive in the habitats they occupy.

It is illegal to import, sell, purchase, or possess a northern snakehead fish in Missouri.

MDC asks anglers not to release any live snakehead fish they capture. Unlike most fish, the snakehead can breathe air, which allows them to survive out of water for several days if their skin stays moist. They can also survive situations where other fish may not, such as in a cooler.

Anglers are asked to kill the fish by severing the head, removing internal organs, or putting the fish in a plastic bag that is disposed of in a trash receptacle.

Any catches and sightings of northern snakeheads can be reported to MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at 573-290-5730, or online at https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/protect-missouri-fishing/snakehead-fish-reporting.

What to Do if You Catch a Northern Snakehead Fish

Ensure it’s a snakehead. Northern snakeheads can be confused with the native bowfin. Snakeheads have a snake-like appearance with a much longer anal fin than the bowfin.
Do not release the fish or throw it on the bank, as it could move back to the water or to a new waterbody. Remember this fish is an airbreather and can live a considerable amount of time out of the water.
Kill the fish by severing the head, gutting it, or placing it in a sealed plastic bag.
Photograph the fish so the species can be positively identified.
Note the location of the catch and report the fish to MDC.

Additional information about northern snakehead fish and its negative impacts on native ecosystems can be found on the Missouri Department of Conservation website.

Missouri Northern Snakeheads

The first northern snakehead recorded in Missouri was caught in a borrow ditch within the St. Francis River levees in Dunklin County in 2019.

Two northern snakeheads were documented in 2023. One was captured by an angler in May at Duck Creek Conservation Area. Another was captured a few miles away in Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

In 2024, Fisheries biologists with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirmed the catch of a fourth northern snakehead in the state. The invasive fish was caught by an angler in May below Wappapello Lake Spillway.

Northern snakeheads are established in Arkansas. Numerous catches have been recorded around White River National Refuge, Merrisach Lake, Big Piney Creek, and the Mississippi River.

source: Missouri Department of Conservation

Related Information

Northern Snakehead