So What Are These Asian Carp Anyway?

[eyeballs]

I have been hearing about these friggin Asian carp all summer and still have no idea what they really are. I have heard stories of them jumping out of the water and killing people I heard that the will destroy any panfish popullation that exists in a lake. I have heard that they are in the Upper MIississippi, and that they may be in the St. Criox as we speak. Oh Yeh, I also heard the have teeth like Pirahna and eat little kids! So What's the deal with these things? Please, No he said She said Stuff I just want some facts. It's just bugging me.

[SpikeRoberts]

Check this out. Some good basic information from the Great Lake Fisheries Commission. pictures, video of flying carp, and linkes to other information.

http://www.glfc.org/fishmgmt/carp.asp

[Northlander]

Wow! I hope they dont infest the St.Louis!!

[Aquaman01]

Ugh. That kind of infestation could make the Lamprey look like a minor annoyance. I wish there was more we could do besides just wait & hope "them" know what to do to stop these things.

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Aquaman
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"The bow is set to distant shore,
then loss is gained and gains once more.
When beach is reached and sails are torn,
the journey is it's own reward."

[Crawlerman]

Granted they are a dangerous exoitc species; something like the Killer bee is to the regular bee; one is good, the other one is not. But I've read articles about "grass carp" on how they've been regarded as the "freshwater tarpon" for fighting; theres been numerous accounts where they have jumped in the boat.

[walleyehawk]

I have done a bit of reading on these carp in Missouri newspapers and DNR websites. Bad news. They have two concerns that impact our fisheries.

First, they feed on the plankton that many of our native fish feed on, competing for food. Reach over 50 pounds so they eat and eat and eat. That means less food or our native species, stunted growth rates and a deteriation in our native species. They also take over a fishery and become the dominant species. And on a river, it is difficult to "treat" with chemical or other means nuisance species.

In Illinois they have had to set up an expensive electronic barrier to stop the fish from hitting Lake Michigan. Other DNR's have tried to net them out of the fishery with limited results. All of this is expensive and takes money away from other interests that anglers and hunters prefer their DNR's spend their resources on.

The second problem is, for some odd reason, whenever a motor or loud noise is around, they jump two to three feet in the air. Imagine pike or catfish jumping in your boat at any speed and the panic it would cause and it think you have an idea of what we could be dealing with. When you are running your boat, any airborne object can cause injury. Now imagine that object being 10 pounds or greater. DNR folk in areas where these fish exist have chain link fence set up around their boats and other means for their protection.

They are not a species to be fished for, they need to be killed. I doubt anyone wants to catch "freshwater tarpon" when they understand all the facts. These are NOT sportfish, they are a menace.

The Minnesota DNR needs to change its policy toward these exotic species. As I understand, I cannot kill exotic species or face penalties for wanton waste. I think we need to be able to kill them upon catching or having them jump into the boat. And the Arkansas DNR and individuals that caused this mess need to have some accountability toward the mess they have caused. Put down the banjo's fellas and be part of the solution.

Sorry for the rant, just I enjoy fishing as much as anyone and realize what a disaster this could cause on the rivers with the St Croix being one of my favorite fisheries. (Though I think the large boats on the Croix would win the impact battle with these fish, it could cause some major damage on some beautiful boats)

[Northlander]

I have never had a problem killing exotic species. Even had DNR tell me to stomp and pitch them into the woods. They are worried about Ruffies being confused with small Walleye though.

[Bobb-o]

Why not just drive around in your boat with someone at the front with a shotgun!?! Wow what a "Blast" that would be huh?

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein

[Crawlerman]

Well thats not what I meant. I agree there is a problem here.. and don't encourage the spread of them by all means. I was merely curious on what hooking one of them would be like. Exotic species or not, fishing mags like In-Fisherman and Outdoor life have done articles relating for fishing for the beasts before.

After all... a ruffe or lamprey certanly don't fight.

[Guest]

They're good in lots a garlic and butter