Abstract:
Flathead catfish, which were introduced from the Mississippi River into the Cape Fear River, can weigh close to sixty pounds. The fish is not popular with local fishermen as it is decimating other fish populations, like the sunfish. A recently passed local law now allows fishermen to electrofish for the catfish in parts of the Cape Fear River and in Sampson, Bladen, and Pender Counties. Only catfish are susceptible to this technique; bass and sunfish are not affected.