Exciting news for Western Pennsylvania anglers.
State officials are trying to reintroduce a large water predator to our local rivers.
The blue catfish is the largest species of catfish in North America.
Capable of reaching up to 100 pounds.
And now, the storied predator could soon make a comeback in our region's rivers.
They were native to the Ohio River, the lower-Allegheny River and the Monongahela River but due to pollution, they haven’t’ been found here in over 100 years,” said Gary Smith with the PA Fish and Boat Commission.
The state began stocking 13-thousand blue catfish this week near the Point in Pittsburgh and along the river in Kilbuck, Leetsdale, and Monaca.
They believe the water conditions are good enough for the fish to thrive again.