Fishing tournament aims to cull invasive species in Port Deposit

PORT DEPOSIT — For an invasive species that is hard to catch and hard to kill, it seems fitting that the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce has dubbed Saturday’s event “The Snakehead Showdown.”

Anglers are invited to cast their lines into the Susquehanna River starting at 7 a.m. Registration begins at 5 a.m. The entry fee is $100 for a boat and $50 for a kayak. Registration takes place in Marina Park on South Main Street. Those who walk in must pay cash to register Saturday morning.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been encouraging anglers to catch snakeheads — there is no catch limit — and do not return them to the water; even if there are no plans to eat the fish. Snakeheads are fighters when they take the hook. Once on land, anglers have to work hard to kill the fish, which continues to fight. These Asia native fish are damaging the habitat and eating every native species.

The weigh in for the Snakehead Showdown begins at 3p.m. at Lee’s Landing, 600 Rowland Drive in Port Deposit.

There will be cash prizes awarded.

For the truly adventurous, there will be a Snakehead Showdown Bowfishing Edition Friday night with registration starting at 6 p.m. with a 5 a.m. weigh-in at Marina Park. The entry fee is $100 per boat.

Get all the details at portdepositcc.org