DNR-contracted commercial fishermen catch 30 invasive carp in Mississippi River: March 23, 2023 | News release

A commercial fishery contracted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) caught 30 invasive carp in Pool 6 of the Mississippi River near Winona on Monday. While invasive carp have previously been caught in Pool 6 and up as far as the Twin Cities metro, this is the largest stream ever caught at one time.

The DNR is working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other partners to respond to this capture, which primarily consists of silver carp. Additional commercial fishing is taking place in Pool 6 this week in conjunction with the removal of captured carp from the river. The previously scheduled netting and casting operation will begin on April 24 using a modified integrated method (MUM) in Pulses 5A, 6 and 8. MUM is an adaptive process to lure carp into nets using boats or sound. The DNR continues to work with partners to evaluate other prevention and management tools, including experimental invasive carp deterrents that are now being tested for effectiveness.

“While there is currently no ‘silver bullet’ to prevent or eliminate invasive carp, we will continue to use proven methods and the best available data to reduce risk by targeting and removing as many fish as possible,” said DNR Invasive Fish. Moderator: Grace Lopnow. “As this fishery demonstrates, the knowledge of contracted commercial fishermen is one of many valuable tools.”

Invasive carp are on the rise after escaping into the Mississippi River in Arkansas in the 1970s. These fish compete with native species and pose a threat to both rivers and lakes.

Individual invasive carp have been caught in the Twin Cities Metro (large, grass and silver), the King Power Plant on the St. Croix River in Oak Park Heights (large and silver) and as high as Mississippi Pool 2. Granite Falls (Large) in the Minnesota River.

The DNR is actively using extensive efforts to control invasive carp:

• The DNR conducts a program to monitor all life stages of invasive carp in the Mississippi River basins of the Minnesota, St. Croix River, Minnesota River, and Missouri River basins. This program includes fisheries sampling, tagging and tracking, and partnerships with the USFWS and the US Geological Survey (USGS) on eDNA surveys. This work will help us understand the invasive carp population in Minnesota, target areas for removal efforts, and determine if spawning is occurring.
• The DNR, in collaboration with the USGS, Wisconsin DNR, USFWS, the National Park Service, and the Wild River Conservancy, will lead MUM operations to capture and remove invasive carp. The DNR holds mum events each spring and fall, mostly centered around Pool 8.
• The DNR leads a program to remove invasive carp through contract commercial fishing, DNR-directed net and electrofishing, and innovative techniques such as fish lures.
• In partnership with the DNR, the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center is testing and evaluating carp defenses at Mississippi River locks and dams.
• The agency is working closely with stakeholders. Minnesota Invasive Carp Action Planincluding evaluation of carp barriers, barriers, and other management tools in the Mississippi River. The DNR expects to have recommendations for further action by the end of 2023. The DNR recently published advisory recommendations to help with this effort.

in addition to:

• DNR is an active partner in the Upper Mississippi River Invasive Carp Task Force. The group includes representatives from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and several federal agencies and serves to provide regional coordination on invasive carp management.
• Similarly, DNR is also a member of the Missouri River Invasive Carp Group, the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, the Brandon Road States and Counties Forum, the National Invasive Carp Framework, the Black Carp Working Group, and other regional, national, and multidisciplinary invasive carp groups.

State and federal funding sources, including the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Outdoor Heritage Fund, have provided key funding for the DNR’s invasive carp detection and response program.

Images of invasive carp in Minnesota should be reported immediately to the DNR by calling or emailing 651-587-2781. [email protected]. People who catch invasive carp may not release it. People are asked to photograph and transport the carp to the nearest DNR fisheries office or arrange for it to be picked up by a DNR official. A Permission can be requested To retain invasive carp caught for consumption or disposal.

More information about invasive carp is available at DNR website.