CROWNSVILLE, Md., June 17, 2025 — Matt Foreman, a Crownsville resident, set a new Maryland state record for Chesapeake Channa, also known as northern snakehead (Channa argus), with a 21.8-pound fish caught on June 7 in the Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recognized Foreman’s catch in the Invasive Division, surpassing the previous 21.0-pound record set in 2023 by Damien Cook in a Dorchester County river.
Foreman, an avid bowhunter and bowfisher, caught the record-breaking fish during a Working Class Outdoorsman charter led by Captain Nick Mather. Using a Vadersbow Saber X bow with a generic tip, Foreman landed the fish, which measured over 36 inches, from a 26-foot aluminum vessel equipped with a custom lighting system. The evening was pleasant with a light breeze, ideal for bowfishing. The charter stopped at six locations, harvesting 26 Channa and one blue catfish, all shot from 10 feet or less. Mather noted this was the best snakehead fishing he had seen in seven years.
“I target Chesapeake Channa because they taste good and everybody wins,” Foreman said, highlighting the ecological benefit of removing invasive species from Maryland waters. His catch also earned recognition from the Bowfishing Association of America, though it does not qualify for the International Game Fish Association’s world record, which excludes bowfishing and remains with Cook’s 2023 hook-and-line catch.
Chesapeake Channa, renamed by Maryland legislation in 2024, is an invasive species prevalent in the state’s Chesapeake Bay tidal waters. With no season or catch limit, the fish has become a popular target for sportfishing. The Department of Natural Resources encourages anglers to kill all invasive species and prohibits transporting live Channa. More details on the species are available on the Department of Natural Resources website.
Foreman’s passion for bowfishing began when a friend introduced him to the sport during warmer months. While he occasionally joins his friend on an airboat, Foreman values the charter experience with Mather. The record-setting trip underscores the growing popularity of bowfishing for invasive species management. The Department of Natural Resources maintains records across four divisions—Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive—and advises anglers with potential record catches to complete a state record application and call 443-569-1398. To preserve a fish’s weight for certification, the department recommends immersing it in ice water.
Invasive species like Chesapeake Channa pose challenges to Maryland’s ecosystems, competing with native fish for resources. The state’s efforts to manage these populations rely on anglers’ participation in harvesting and reporting catches. Foreman’s achievement highlights both the sporting appeal of Channa and the importance of controlling invasive species to protect Maryland’s waterways.
