Changes in the Fishery of the Altamaha River System after the Illegal Introduction of the Flathead Catfish

Robert R. Weller
GA Dept of Natural Resources, 1773-A Bowen Mill Hwy., Fitzgerald, GA 31750, (912) 426-5272; fmbmf@surfsouth.com

The flathead catfish pylodictis olivaris has been introduced into several Atlantic coastal plain river systems. Many of these stockings have resulted in the creation of viable flathead catfish populations. The unauthorized introduction of this nonnative predator into the Altamaha River system in Georgia has negatively impacted native fish species. Flathead catfish were first introduced into the upper Ocmulgee River, one of the two main tributaries of the Altamaha River, during the 1970's. This unauthorized stocking established flathead catfish as one of the dominant fish species in the Altamaha River by the late 1980's. Prior to the introduction of the flathead catfish, redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus were the dominant game fish species as measured by electrofishing catch rate and angler harvest. Decreases in redbreast sunfish and bullhead Ameiurus spp., population abundance were first noticed by anglers and later confirmed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division. Reaction from anglers to this change in species abundance has been mixed. Some anglers enjoy catching flathead catfish while other anglers dislike flathead catfish and would like their number reduced. The Wildlife Resources Division is currently removing flathead catfish from a portion of the Altamaha River system to determine if the flathead catfish population can be reduced and to determine what impact this may have on the redbreast sunfish population.