Maryland Anglers Earn Cash Battling Invasive Snakeheads in 'Reel Rewards' Fishing Challenge

Maryland anglers are back at it—fishing for a cause and a cash bonus. The "Reel Rewards" program, kicked off in 2024 by a team of conservation groups, is literally putting money on the line: $30 for every invasive snakehead, blue catfish, or flathead catfish caught in Baltimore harbor. If you ever needed motivation to go fishing, well, this is it.

According to the organizers, these invasive species are no small fry—they threaten the local ecosystem, the economy, and even the native fish that Marylanders actually want to catch. Snakeheads, in particular, live up to their slithery name, sporting scales reminiscent of a boa or python and a mouth full of teeth that make dentists nervous just thinking about it.

Anglers are allowed to turn in up to 15 fish per week, whether they're fishing from the shore or cruising by boat. The only catch? You've got to stick to Maryland's fishing regulations and have the right licenses. So, before you start dreaming of a second income stream, maybe check you’re legal first.

Snakeheads can range from just a few inches to over three feet long, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These fish prefer the bottom of shallow, slow-moving, weedy waters—basically, the kind of spots you’d avoid if you didn’t have a rod in your hand and a reward in your sights.

With their big mouths and even bigger appetites, these invaders are gobbling up the resources that native fish (and local businesses) depend on. So, if you ever wanted to save an ecosystem and make money doing it, now's your chance. And honestly, getting paid to fight off an invasive species? Feels like the most Maryland thing ever.