The Eastern hellbender is a mysterious creature that most trout anglers don’t even realize might be living in the same streams they fish. This often-overlooked salamander has endured a long and difficult history, one that has pushed it to the brink of extinction in parts of the Eastern United States. The question is: did trout anglers play a role in its decline?
The “Giant Salamander”
To those who know about hellbenders today, they’re seen as an extraordinary species of giant aquatic salamander found only in the cold, clear streams of Appalachia. These reclusive animals spend most of their time hidden beneath large rocks, unseen by the outside world. Spotting one in the wild is considered a rare and special experience, something that wasn’t always true. We sat down and talked with Andrew Zimmerman, an underwater photographer and CFI conservation biologist. He told us that
“Filming Hellbenders is mostly looking at rocks until you find one. Their camouflage hides them perfectly in their environment. Once you find one it is a test of patience and ability to stay warm. These giant salamanders may remain motionless for hours with only short periods of activity before they slip underneath a rock and remain hidden. The trials of photographing Hellbenders makes the moments of activity so much more exciting, making them one of my favorite species to target.”
The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is unique in several ways. It breathes through its skin, which is why it can only survive in clean, well-oxygenated water. Because of this, it’s considered an important indicator species. If hellbenders are thriving, it usually means the river is healthy as well. They also reach impressive sizes, sometimes growing up to two feet long and weighing as much as three pounds. This is quite the drastic difference from common salamanders that most are familiar with.
The Hunt For Hellbenders
Hellbenders weren’t always admired. In the 1800s and early 1900s, they were seen as pests, wrongly accused of eating trout and their eggs, and even considered dangerous. Anglers shot them, cut off their heads, and collected bounties for their kills. Some ended up served at elite dinner clubs in New York City, while others were dissected or preserved in museum jars. Across their 15-state range, this widespread persecution devastated populations. And what people didn’t destroy—pollution, dams, logging, and industrial waste finished off.
This destruction stemmed largely from misunderstanding. Many believed hellbenders were venomous, but their slimy coating is harmless and only serves to protect their skin. Second, anglers thought the salamanders were competing with their trout, when in fact, their diet consists mostly of crayfish. If anything, trout are more likely to steal food from hellbenders than the other way around. These myths fueled decades of unnecessary killing from the 1800s well into the late 1900s. The truth is, people simply didn’t know much about this species, and even today, there’s still more to learn.
Continued Carnage for the Eastern Hellbenders
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene ripped through the Southern Appalachians, killing more than 230 people and destroying critical wildlife habitat. For hellbenders, the storm was catastrophic.
Western North Carolina, home to some of the strongest remaining populations, was hit hardest. Floodwaters surged through rivers like the French Broad, Toe, and Cane during peak breeding season, washing away nests, scattering larvae, and stranding adults far from the water. Many died on roadsides and fields before they could return to the stream. For a species already facing shrinking habitat and human pressure, one storm pushed some populations to the edge, highlighting just how fragile their future has become.
A New Hope
There may still be time to turn things around. A proposed endangered species listing for the eastern hellbender is currently open for public comment, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must make its final decision by the end of 2025. If approved, federal protections and funding could help restore damaged watersheds, replant riparian forests, and rebuild nesting habitat with large rock slabs—giving hellbenders a real shot at recovery.
At the same time, the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to restore 6,000 acres of land and 100 miles of streambanks in priority watersheds. By partnering with private landowners, NRCS promotes conservation practices like improving grazing management, reducing agricultural runoff, and removing stream barriers. Through its Working Lands for Wildlife program, the agency provides technical and financial support to enhance water quality. These efforts help not only hellbenders but also other sensitive species like the bog turtle, Appalachian elktoe, and brook trout.
For a creature once branded a monster, the hellbender’s story is ultimately about us. We nearly wiped them out—but we also have the power to bring them back.
