It’s not every day catfish anglers get the chance to earn cold hard cash for doing what they love. But in Baltimore, Maryland, that’s exactly what’s happening thanks to a unique program called Reel Rewards.

Map of the Baltimore Harbor located at the mouth of the Patapsco River. The blue, dotted outline shows where invasive fish must be caught in order to receive Reel Rewards bounty money. Anglers must provide proof of catch through iAngler to receive bounty. (Courtesy of EJJI)

The initiative, run by the Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative (EJJI), rewards local anglers with $30 for every invasive fish head they turn in—including blue catfish and flathead catfish. The goal? Help manage invasive species populations while supporting local fishing communities.

The 2025 season continues through July 26 and has expanded beyond the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River to now include the entire Baltimore Harbor area, reaching up to the site of the former Key Bridge. This wider boundary opens the door for more folks to take part and potentially cash in.

To get paid, participants catch qualifying invasive species—northern snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish—within the designated area, and bring the fish heads (yes, just the heads) to one of the drop-off locations on scheduled days. Each head earns $30, and the program collects valuable data to assist environmental scientists and fishery managers.

People can earn $30 per invasive fish through Maryland’s “Reel Rewards” program in Baltimore harbor. (Theresa Sutton photo)

So, if you’re in the area—or looking for an excuse to plan a trip—this could be a fun and profitable way to spend a few days fishing. You’ll be helping the environment, feeding your passion for catfishing and padding your wallet at the same time.

Want to get involved?

• Register now at iAnglerTournament
• See full details and drop-off info here

For community organizations interested in hosting joint events or learning opportunities tied to Reel Rewards, contact EJJI’s Veronica at veronica@ejji.org.