Georgia rivers under threat as invasive catfish become apex predators

Flathead catfish, an invasive species, are invading Georgia rivers, posing a threat to native fish populations. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has found more than a dozen flathead catfish in the Ogeechee River and is urging anglers to catch and report them. These predatory catfish, capable of growing over 100 pounds, have already established themselves in multiple Georgia rivers, including the Satilla, Altamaha, and Savannah rivers, where they have suppressed native fish populations. Efforts to remove the flathead catfish have been ongoing, but it is challenging to eliminate them entirely.