Grass Carp

[Bulldawg5312]

Anyone else read this story? Why would anyone release this fish?

http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_23242502/mississippi-river-25-pound-invasive-grass-carp-found

[Rick G]

SARTELL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says a grass carp found in the Mississippi River north of Sartell may have been intentionally released.

The agency says an angler bowfishing on the Mississippi last week shot the 25-pound fish. The DNR says the exotic species previously was found much further south in Minnesota, including lower portions of the Mississippi.

DNR fisheries biologists believe the 36-inch fish could not have gotten past the dams at Coon Rapids, St. Cloud and Sartell. So the agency says the fish likely escaped from a private pond through floodwaters or was released intentionally.

The DNR says like bighead and silver carp, grass carp also can cause environmental harm. The species can grow to 70 pounds and cause water quality problems.

This is not good, I hope it's just the one or we might have something new to fish for up here.

[CaptainMusky]

I really wonder who would have these on their personal property in the first place? I guess its possible, but I really question the possibility that someone had these in their stocked pond and it got out due to flooding.

I really doubt the comment about no chance it spawned. How would they know? They have no idea how long its been in there, plus if one "escaped" I am quite sure more could have.

[smallie_hawgin]

I really wonder who would have these on their personal property in the first place? I guess its possible, but I really question the possibility that someone had these in their stocked pond and it got out due to flooding.

I really doubt the comment about no chance it spawned. How would they know? They have no idea how long its been in there, plus if one "escaped" I am quite sure more could have.

Captain,

Both St. Cloud and Sartell dams are impassable to all species of fish regardless of flows. Period. Many pond owners (golf courses included) try many methods for controlling vegetation. There are legitimate outfits in IA that sell grass carp to MN residents in spite of our ban on these species. Just like drug traffic, there truthfully is a black market for fish in the US. This particular fish had viable eggs, however, no young fish have ever been found in MN. While they may spawn, they apparently do not survive. This particular fish was about nine years of age.

The debate over whether it was released or escaped really is mute. In either case, the particular land owner/business had these fish illegally in MN. Is it a reason to panic? Probably not. If you see folks with any illegal fish please use the tips line (1-800-652-9093) to report them ASAP. We don't need one persons bad decision affecting the rest of us.