WASHINGTON — A fish caught in a Potomac River tributary over the weekend has set a new state record.

Todd Murphy shot a Northern Snakehead with a bow and arrow early Saturday in Mattawoman Creek in Charles County.

The fish officially weighed in at 17.47 pounds and is almost 36 inches long.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Biologist Branson Williams certified the catch.

Williams calls it an “impressive fish.”

Snakehead fish are an invasive species to our waters and officials are trying to encourage more people to hunt them.

WTOP’s Michelle Basch contributed to this report.