Staff Writer

Starting this week, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is planning to bring back blue catfish to the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela rivers. After being absent in Pennsylvania for almost a century, the largest catfish species in North America is coming back due to the re-introduction efforts. Previously, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has been working on the re-establishment of blue catfish populations in portions of the Ohio River bordering Ohio and West Virginia. The re-emergence of blue catfish in the Pennsylvania portion of the Ohio River, therefore, is a promising sign which implies the potential success of the re-restoration attempts. 

Blue catfish can weigh more than 100 pounds, which is why it is popular among anglers. Blue catfish are a large, river species that has a habit of feeding in cooler months. They are highly invasive in areas where it is considered native.