Tossing carp up on shore.

[Maashkinoozhe]

Leaving dead carp on the shore is also not thoughtful for the next angler. Last year I was on an island on the Mississippi, and someone had piled up 20+ carp in a line in the middle of the island. I would pick a spot where the smell of rotting fish was less intense, and then a change in the wind would bring the full glory of putrid, decaying carp to my nostrils and force me to concentrate on not gagging/puking instead of on fishing... Just another experience that shore anglers have to put up with. You feel like bringing the carp to the home of the guy who caught it and leaving it on their porch. Please don't leave dead fish on the shore! Like stated by others before, eat it, use it as fertilizer, or release it unharmed.

Rant over... that feels better!...

Dave

[rushing]

My dad used to rip a part of the gill of any bullhead, carp, or sheephead he caught, they would swim away but certainly were gonna die. I got on him about how its illegal and he stills kills them all but now he brings them home and throws them in his garden. He has a pretty kick a$$ garden.

[glenn57]

its been my understanding that no roughfish should be returned back intothe water.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Well, Glenn, then you have been dead wrong, I guess. It amazes me how people can be so misinformed.

[glenn57]

i just always brouhgt mine to a hog farmer freind where his hogs enjoyed them. misinformed not.

[Crawlerman]

There are only four species, all specifically listed in the DNR regulations that CANNOT be returned to the water alive. These are: Ruffe, lamprey, Round Gobi and ASIAN carp (the silver ones).

These are to be killed and either frozen or disposed of in approved containers the DNR are supposed to place where these species exsist. I remeber shore fishing on Superior, I caught a few ruffe, and there was a marked recpetical to dispose them in.

ANY other fish, its illegal to "throw away" and must be released. Just because carp, sheephead and other rough fish don't have a "limit" on them, doesn't mean that its legal to kill them without using them.

[Chad Halvorson]

Really

From http://fwp.mt.gov/FieldGuide/detail_AFCJB08010.aspx

The introduction of carp into North America from Asia is considered to be one of the greatest mistakes in the history of American fisheries management by biologists who have documented the widespread loss of native fish and habitat to this aggressive intruder.

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

(Cyprinidae)

Global Rank: G5

State Rank: SNA

Agency Status

USFWS:

USFS: none

BLM: none

General Description

Common carp are easily recognized by the two barbels or "whiskers" on each side of the mouth and the sawn-toothed hardened ray in the front of the dorsal and anal fins. The introduction of carp into North America from Asia is considered to be one of the greatest mistakes in the history of American fisheries management by biologists who have documented the widespread loss of native fish and habitat to this aggressive intruder. Carp are a popular food fish in Eurasia, so they were introduced into North America to serve the same function. However, they are not desirable to North American consumers because they are bony, often have an unpalatable taste and because there are more attractive alternatives. There is some commercial fishing for carp, and they can be processed so that the problems with the fine bones between their muscles are eliminated. Carp are also despised because they compete with more desirable sport fishes, muddy the water by their bottom feeding, and reduce the available food for waterfowl by eating submerged plants. Carp have been the target of large eradication projects in several states that have generally only temporarily reduced populations. They are extremely hardy omnivores, which means that they eat almost anything. Carp can attain a weight of 40 pounds in productive waters. In Montana, carp are present only in our eastern drainage. They attain their greatest numbers in lakes and reservoirs. (FWP) From Scott and Crossman (1973), Jester (1974), and Pflieger (1975): adult length 12-25 in (30.5-63.5 cm) or more; large individuals may reach 20-60 lbs (9.1-27.2 kg); two barbels on each side of upper jaw, posterior pair more conspicuous; relatively small, toothless mouth, with the upper jaw slightly protruding; throat teeth 1,1,3-3,1,1, with teeth in main row broad and molar-like; lateral line complete, with 35 to 38 scales; one long dorsal fin with 17-21 soft rays, and a stout saw-toothed spine in front of dorsal and anal fins; pectoral fins with 14-17 rays; pelvic fins thoracic, originating beneath origin of dorsal fin, 8 or 9 rays; 1 anal fin with 5 branched rays; scales cycloid, large, thick; 35-36 vertebrae; 21-27 gill rakers on first gill arch; color variable: back and sides olivaceous, gold, greenish-olive, reddish-brown, or blackish-red, silver or yellowish-white below; fins dusky, often with red on tail fin and yellow or orange on lower fins; peritoneum gray, often more or less speckled.

Diagnostic Characteristics

Overall bronze with a dark brown to olive green back and yellowish underside. Some individuals, called mirror carp, have enlarged scales scattered over the body with bare patches in between. Leather carp are scaleless.

Economic Value

Has been cultivated for food in Asia for centuries. Use as food in North America is limited but, when properly prepared, carp are considered good eating by many. Has been used in carcinogenesis testing (Metcalfe 1989). See Cooper (1987) for further information on utilization by humans.

Migration

May migrate into tributary streams to spawn.

Habitat

Primarily lakes and reservoirs, where it seeks moderately warm water and shallows. Also rivers, where it prefers pools and backwaters. Congregates in areas of organic enrichment, such as sewage outfalls. Tolerates turbid water and low dissolved oxygen; avoids cold and swift, rocky streams. (Holton 2003) Spawns in shallow weedy areas (Brown 1971).

Food Habits

An omnivorous feeder with vegetation and detritus making up bulk of diet. May feed on any available aquatic organism including eggs of sportfish. Will stir up bottom (Gould, pers. comm., Brown 1971).

Ecology

Young of year carp in Missouri River Study showed a preference for pool and backwater habitat. Considered ecological disaster in North America. May cross with goldfish. Schools.

Reproductive Characteristics

Sexually mature in 2-3 yrs. Spawns May-July in most Montana waters. Incubation: 12-20 days (Brown 1971). Spawned mid- June-July in middle Missouri River with late June-early July peak.

Citations & Sources

Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.

NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. 2002. Version 1.6 . Arlington, Virginia, USA: NatureServe. Available: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: March 20, 2003 ).

[Cyberfish]

Quote:

---

A couple of years ago there were some guys bowfishing for carp and throwing them on shore. This lake was open to unlimited fishing due to lack of oxygen. Anyways the guys had a pile of about a hundred of them. When the CO went over there he made them load all 100 of them in the back of there pickup

So no you can't throw them on shore to rot

---

Ewww, good thing they had a pickup!