Pittsburg, PA

About 100,000 blue catfish stocked in Ohio River for future anglers to catch

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

About 100,000 blue catfish stocked in Ohio River for future anglers to catch

Anglers in the Pittsburgh area may be catching 50-to 60-pound blue catfish several years from now as part of an ongoing reintroduction effort of this native species of fish.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is in its second year of stocking blue catfish in the Ohio River in the Point State Park area of Pittsburgh and Sewickley.

Blue cats swam in the Steel City until the early 1900s when the water became polluted.

“If it wasn’t for man, pollution and building of the dams on the three rivers, they’d still be here today,” said Gary Smith, the Fish and Boat Commission Area 8 fisheries manager. “Hopefully, we are correcting a wrong that happened with pollution to restore them here in the three rivers.”

In the fall of 2022, the agency stocked 80,000 fingerlings in the river.

“We had requested 40,000 blue cat fingerlings to be stocked in the fall of 2022,” Smith said. “Our hatchery had surplus fingerlings, so we ended up stocking 80,000 fingerlings into the Ohio River.”

Fingerlings are 2 to 4 inches long. The survival rate for them is low because they can become food for the other predators in the river.

In 2023 and beyond, the agency started stocking yearling blue catfish which are about 8 to 10 inches. Each year through 2026, they are requesting 10,000 yearlings to be stocked. “Their survival will be better,” Smith said about the larger fish.

Last year, there were extra fish available and a total of 14,000 yearlings were stocked. About 10,000 of them came from West Virginia and averaged about 9 inches long. The remaining yearlings came from the agency’s hatchery in Tionesta and those fish were about 5 and 6 inches long.

Smith has been looking at the success rates of blue catfish in Kentucky’s portion of the Ohio River and said it takes 17 years for one of them to reach about 35 inches long, possibly weighing 30 pounds. And they will keep growing from there.

In West Virginia’s portion of the Ohio River he said the state record was broken in December and measured 50.5 inches and weighed 69.45 pounds.

“That’s impressive,” he said. In Pennsylvania, he said years down the road 50-60 pound blue catfish may be swimming in the Pittsburgh area, too.

The challenge is the number of years it takes catfish to get that size. Pennsylvania has a shorter growing season compared to the other states to the south.

“We expect slow growth. We see that in our flathead catfish in the Three Rivers. For a flathead catfish it takes 15 years to get to 14 inches,” Smith said.

First stocking: Tiny blue catfish, able to grow near 100 pounds, were reintroduced to the Ohio River in PA

Smith knows of Pennsylvania anglers who travel to other states to target blue catfish.

“There’s definitely a following for blue cats,” he said.

Joe Granata of Monaca, Beaver County, enjoys fishing for a variety of catfish in western Pennsylvania and is looking forward to the blue cats getting big in Pittsburgh’s waterways.

He helped stock the original blue catfish fingerlings in 2022 around Point State Park. He isn’t aware of anyone catching any of them yet.

“It takes several years,” he said for the fish to grow to a catchable size. Anglers may have caught some of the small fish and didn’t realize they were blue catfish.

Granata has caught blues in West Virginia and Virginia where the fish have been living for years. He knows of people catching some upwards of 50 pounds. Granata said the blue cats hit the bait harder than flatheads.

“To fishermen, that’s exciting,” he said. In the river, he uses cut bait and live baits for a variety of catfish species.

He mostly targets flathead catfish in western Pennsylvania where they also get to be about 50 pounds. In the eastern part of the state, he said the flatheads grow faster and get larger.

The new state record for flatheads was caught in the Susquehanna River on May 14, 2023. Mike Wherley, 46, of Fayetteville broke the existing record with his 66-pound, 6-ounce catfish from the river in Lancaster County.

Monitoring the blue cats

The blue catfish that have been stocked in Pittsburgh appear to be surviving. Smith said a blue catfish was captured during their night electrofishing surveys in October on the Pittsburgh Pool of the three rivers. The fish was found on the Monongahela River, just two-tenths of a mile upstream of Point State Park in Pittsburgh.

“Other than that, we have not gone out to target them. The plan is in 2025 to go out on the Ohio River targeting blue cats, doing daytime, low frequency electrofishing. That’s the primary gear biologists use to collect blue cats,” he said.

They will also place hoop nets and trout lines out to catch and inspect blue cats.

“Hopefully, we will pick up a couple then,” Smith said about monitoring the early success after three years of stockings. “I’m not expecting to see a lot of blue cats,” he said. In 2028, another monitoring effort will be conducted. “Hopefully, we will see more blue cats then.”

Every three years they will continue to do monitoring studies of the population.

“Based on what we are seeing, we hope to move to the lower Allegheny River and the Mongahela River for yearling stockings for five years,” he said.

Female blue catfish will start reproducing after they get to be 6 or 7 years old or in some cases they need to be a few years older. Smith is hopeful they will start spawning in the Pittsburgh area. “That’s the plan, that’s the hope, to establish a naturally reproducing population,” he said.

Only in western Pennsylvania

The goal is to keep the blue catfish in the Ohio River area where they are native fish. In other streams, these large fish could be detrimental to the ecosystem.

“The only place they are native in Pennsylvania is the Three Rivers, the Ohio River, the lower Allegheny and the Mon (Monongahela) River,” he said.

Anglers shouldn’t be moving blue catfish to other waterways.

“We don’t even want to see them in our lakes here in western Pennsylvania. They are a big river fish. Only native here in Pennsylvania to the Three Rivers,” Smith said.

In the eastern part of the state, he said unfortunately blue cats have been showing up in the Delaware estuary and Chesapeake Bay.

“They are a large predator, top of the food chain, they need to have lots of area and lots of forage and one of their main forage is gizzard shad but they are omnivores. They will eat other things as well, other fish, freshwater mussels and macro invertebrates. They are adapted to the big rivers,” he said. “Because they are only native to the Three Rivers, we don’t want them elsewhere in the state because it’s possible they could have a significant impact on native fish populations in the Susquehanna and Delaware basins. They can significantly change the ecosystems in places where they don’t belong. We see that with insects, mammals and fish.”

Granata is looking forward to seeing heavy blue cats in Pittsburgh.

“I think it will be awesome. I think it will be good for the environment, too, just to have another apex predator back in the waterways to keep everything else in check,” Granata said about the return of blue catfish. “They’re native here.

“Selfishly as a fisherman, it’s going to be awesome, but I think for the environment, too, the ecosystem of the rivers I think it will be good as well.”

He is concerned that too many catfish will be caught out of the waterways once the population is established. Right now anglers are permitted to keep 50 catfish a day, similar to the regulations for perch and crappies. “It takes them forever to get big,” he said.

Smith said the agency is considering a catch-and-release only regulation on blue catfish in the three rivers area. “To get them established. It’s something we are looking at,” he said.

The blue catfish are expected to expand the opportunities for anglers throughout the year.

“The biggest difference for me would be, it’s an all-year fish. Blue catfish are still pretty active in the winter months as opposed to flathead catfish. Once the water temperature in our rivers gets to the mid 40s, the flathead catfish really slow down,” he said.

Granata said the winter months he travels to other states for blue cats as they are active feeders regardless of the temperature. “It can be 10 degrees below zero and they’re out there feeding,” he said. When the blue cats become prevalent in Pittsburgh, they will create a year-round fishing opportunity, including in the winter months.

“We’re definitely excited. We just have to be patient. When they get to that size, it will be game on,” Granata said about the local catfishing community. “Until then, let’s just hope they are all doing well down there and there’s agood population swimming around there and establishing themselves again.”

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website’s homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors.

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Pittsburg, PA

Can Pittsburgh Handle an NFL Draft Crowd?

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Can Pittsburgh Handle an NFL Draft Crowd?

Along with the best football prospects the season has to offer, the NFL Draft promises to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Pittsburgh from April 23 to 25.

If the turnout approaches that of Detroit in 2023, those descending on the North Shore and Downtown could reach 700,000 over the three days. For reference, that’s more than 10 times Acrisure Stadium’s 68,400 seats, and more than double the city’s roughly 308,000 residents.

Where will they stay? How will they get around?

Event planners at VisitPittsburgh say the city is up to the task.

“They picked us out of several cities because we have the infrastructure,” said Perry Ivery, general manager of the Oaklander Hotel and board chair of VisitPittsburgh.

Last year, Wisconsin’s Green Bay comfortably accommodated a unique visitor count three times its 106,000 population, according to residents and local leaders.

Rooms Enough?

Ivery said there are some 26,000 hotel rooms across the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, the bulk of which are concentrated in and around Downtown.

Even if each room holds two to four people, the total still appears to fall short. But Ivery said many attendees will be locals, whether from Pittsburgh, surrounding counties or neighboring states within a day’s drive.

Plus, a high proportion of out-of-town guests could have Pittsburgh roots and a free bed to claim in a family home, he added.

There are also around 3,500 units available for short-term rental in and around Pittsburgh through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.

“We’re all working together to make sure everybody has a great hospitality experience in the City of Pittsburgh,” Ivery said.

Infrastructure from roads to parking, and bus and light rail routes, will also feel the strain.

Strain on the Train?

Pittsburgh Regional Transit normally services around 100,000 riders on an average weekday, across its entire network. Spokesperson Adam Brandolph said the agency is prepared for the transit demands of what’s expected to be the biggest event the city has hosted.

“We’re confident that we’ll be able to meet the needs of visitors to the draft as well as daily riders,” he said, noting “no major closures or detours” are planned for the event other than the University Line project, which may see less construction during that week.

Brandolph said the agency is finalizing plans and intends to make more information public soon.

A spokesperson for VisitPittsburgh said a local committee is working with a range of stakeholders including transportation agencies, engineering partners and local government “to deliver a coordinated and comprehensive plan for the region.”

“This includes collaboration with public transit agencies on adjusted service plans, clearly marked detour routes, designated rideshare zones and proactive communication with residents, businesses and commuters,” said Alex Kenzakoski, communications director for VisitPittsburgh.

“Our shared goal is to minimize disruption, keep the region moving and make travel as predictable and seamless as possible for both fans and locals.”

Kenzakoski said details on road closures, transit adjustments and travel guidance will be made known ahead of the draft, and encouraged fans to download the NFL OnePass app for transportation information and updates.

Ivery said a successful draft week execution could line Pittsburgh up for future hosting prospects.

“There’re going to be folks that come in that have never been to Pittsburgh … This is a case to showcase our town, and our hotels,” he said.

“We’re friendly, we have grit, we’re very excited to showcase that we can do large-scale activities.”

This story first appeared in Pittsburgh’s Public Source. Read the original here.

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Pittsburg, PA

2 young girls found dead in suitcases in Cleveland, police say

Published

17 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

2 young girls found dead in suitcases in Cleveland, police say

The bodies of two young girls were found inside suitcases in Cleveland, Ohio, police said on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said on Tuesday that the bodies of the two girls were found in suitcases buried in shallow graves on Monday evening. One of the girls was believed to be between the ages of 8 and 13 years old, while the other was believed to be 10 to 14 years old. Neither girl was identified as of Tuesday night.

“This is a priority,” Todd said during Tuesday’s press conference. “This is a traumatic event for our officers, for the community, and this is just such a tragic incident, but we are trying to develop any leads we can.”

Police said there are no active missing persons reports in Cleveland that match the two victims.

Officials said someone walking their dog near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue found what appeared to be a body inside a suitcase around 6 p.m. on Monday. When officers responded to the scene near Ginn Academy, they found one of the bodies stuffed in a suitcase in a shallow grave. The second shallow grave with the body stuffed in a suitcase was found after officers searched the area.

“This is a field close to the school over there,” Todd said. “This is just a residential neighborhood that I’m sure a lot of people do frequent.”

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has custody of the bodies and will identify the girls. Todd said there is no clear indication of possible causes of death for the girls or how long the girls were there.

“It was some time, so it’s not something that was recent,” Todd said.

There is no suspect, Todd added. Anyone with information can contact the Cleveland police at 216-623-5464.

“Usually in residential areas, you know what’s happening in your neighborhood, something just seems a little bit off,” Todd said. “That’s why we’re asking that anyone who has anything that they believe to be information directly related to or suspicious, that they give us a call.”

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Pittsburg, PA

Judge calls Pittsburgh crash death ‘textbook example’ of why DUI is illegal

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Judge calls Pittsburgh crash death ‘textbook example’ of why DUI is illegal

No one showed up in court for either side.

Not for the victim, a 33-year-old immigrant killed in Pittsburgh last year by a drunken driver.

And not for the defendant, a 22-year-old woman who created a good life for herself and her twin sons despite a string of difficult life circumstances, including an incarcerated father and a mother with mental illness.

Maria Davis, of Uniontown, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault and driving under the influence after police say she crossed the center line on Beechwood Boulevard last year, crashing head-on into Abdulaziz Sharibbaev and killing him.

Sharibbaev lived in Pittsburgh’s Westwood section at the time of his death. Law enforcement could not confirm where he emigrated from and were unable to reach any relatives for the court proceedings.

As part of a plea agreement, Davis will serve 16 to 32 months in custody to be followed by two years probation. Her attorney asked the court to allow his client to enter an alternative housing program, which the judge said she will consider after Davis has served at least 12 months.

She must also pay $3,500 in mandatory fines.

Davis was driving a black Hyundai sedan north on Beechwood Boulevard toward Squirrel Hill around 12:30 a.m. on March 11 when she crossed the center line and struck a silver Toyota Prius head-on, according to a criminal complaint.

Sharibbaev, who was driving the Prius, had to be extricated by medics.

He died from his injuries five days later.

Both Davis and a passenger in her car were taken to local hospitals. The passenger sustained facial injuries and fractures from being thrown into the windshield.

A blood test showed Davis had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.163% — more than twice the legal limit for driving of 0.08%.

She also had marijuana in her blood, police said.

Birthday celebration

Defense attorney Adam Bishop told Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Simquita R. Bridges that his client had been raised primarily by her great-grandmother after her father was incarcerated and her mother could not care for her.

After her great-grandmother became ill, Davis had to return to live with her mother at age 14, Bishop continued. Three years later, she moved out.

Davis had no prior criminal history and worked as a certified nursing assistant at a facility in Uniontown, Bishop said.

The night of the crash, she and friends were going out to celebrate her birthday.

Davis had gotten a babysitter, drove to Pittsburgh and attended a baby shower that day before checking in to a hotel room.

At the shower, Davis had a shot of tequila and shared a glass of wine, Bishop said. Then, when Davis returned to the hotel to get ready for her night out, she had a couple more shots.

Davis and her friend arrived at a bar called Eon in Homestead and were waiting outside in line for more than 90 minutes when a fight broke out, Bishop said.

One of the men involved made threats, Bishop told the judge, and fearing he would return with a gun, Davis and her friends left.

Although she had not planned to drive any more that night, Davis got in her car to follow another friend to a bar in Greenfield, the attorney said.

The two vehicles got separated in traffic, Bishop said, and the friend texted Davis the address for the bar.

She was trying to type the address into the GPS on her phone when she crossed the center line and crashed, according to Bishop.

“It was that act of distracted driving, in conjunction with her intoxication,” Bishop said, that caused the crash.

Bishop described Davis as extremely remorseful and said she accepts full responsibility for her actions.

“She got dealt some bad cards in life,” Bishop said, but still managed to make a good life for her sons, who will turn 2 next month.

“One night can change everything,” he said.

A ‘poor decision’

No one was in court to describe the impact of Sharibbaev’s death.

Davis told the judge she is sincerely sorry.

“I would never purposely hurt somebody,” she said. “I ask that his family accept my apology. For as long as I live, I hope they can forgive me at some point.”

Davis told the court she is trying to learn from what happened.

“I tried all my life to be a good person and stay on the right path,” she said. “This night, I just made a poor decision.”

But Assistant District Attorney Jameson Rohrer said it wasn’t just one bad choice.

“This was a series of decisions that (ended) a man’s life and permanently changed the lives of the defendant and her children,” he said.

Bridges agreed.

“You are a textbook example of why drinking and driving is illegal,” the judge said. “Good people sometimes make bad choices. That doesn’t make you a bad person.

“Your life isn’t over because of this. You can pick yourself up and move on.”

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