HARRINGTON, Del. — Delaware angler Dyllan Rust has established a new state record for the Northern Snakehead after landing a 15-pound, 8-ounce fish at Marshyhope Ditch near Harrington in early June. Weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 31.5 inches, Rust’s catch surpassed the previous state record by 11 ounces and was officially verified at a local store and certified by wildlife authorities. The feat follows a surge in snakehead fishing across the state, fueled by the species’ rapid growth since first appearing in Delaware waters in 2010. Northern Snakeheads, native to East Asia, are now considered invasive and widespread in Delaware’s rivers, creeks, and ponds. The species is known for its aggressive feeding and reproductive habits, which can outcompete native fish. State officials encourage anglers to remove and properly report any caught snakehead, as releasing live snakeheads or transporting them is prohibited under state regulations. For more on state fishing records and guidance on reporting invasive fish species, the public can visit Delaware.gov.
Dyllan Rust of Harrington holding his record-breaking Snakehead Fish
Photo: DNREC via Delaware.gov