In Pool 8 there will likely start next Monday and last 12 days. The unifed harvesting technique essentially pushes the carp into a smaller and smaller area to harvest at the end of the timeframe. Here is a video if you’re interested. The MN DNR expects a big media buzz. It will be interesting to see what kind of haul they get….
It’s too bad that they will inevitably work into pools further and further north and eventually establish breeding populations. No, they’re not going to wipe out every bass, walleye, etc. in the watersheds…but they will significantly hinder spawning habitats, forage by being a competing filter feeder, and ultimately take up a large slice of biomass reducing game fish populations of a great fishery that everyone enjoys.
For those who are really looking to learn more, I am copying a response I received from Nick Fronhauer on the topic from last year. If you lurk around here Nick, thanks again for sharing. Nick sent this prompt response with tons of resources, data, plans, etc. that likely took quite some time to compile. I wish more people would work with and support the DNR and efforts like this before blindly bashing them from the safety of a forum over things they cannot always control.
There have been some extensive studies and attempts and developing deterrents to the Asian Carp advancement (see attachments). After reading through it and discussing with others, it seems that although they can be deterred from moving through locks there are spillways, culverts, and the locks themselves that will still allow passage even at a small % which could eventually undermine the efforts and jeopardize fisheries many of us love.
You ask several good questions. The MN DNR has had a dedicated invasive carp monitoring and response program since 2012. The program uses traditional fish sampling gears like gill nets, trap nets, small seines, and electrofishing (deployed to target invasive carp rather than the fish community). But it also includes contracted commercial fishing, monitoring/communicating with private commercial efforts, and public reports. The capture and reporting of 50+ invasive carp near LaCrosse is a result of the strong relationship our field biologists have built with the commercial fishing community.
As you would expect, these captures necessitate an adjustment to MN DNR’s plans. We immediately engaged our contract fisher to sample the area more extensively and also connected pools. We have been out on the river twice but continued sampling this week will be impacted by weather and river conditions. In the meantime, Minnesota DNR is currently adjusting our 2020 field strategy. We are working with WI and our federal partners on increased effort in the area for the 2020 season. We will be requesting additional funds from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the planned increased work in this area.
Research and work continues on deterrent technology as a whole and potential application in MN. Peter Sorensen with the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities has been working on this for several years with funding from MN DNR, the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Outdoor Heritage Fund, and US Fish and Wildlife Service funding. I have attached a report he completed for the MN DNR. Sound/bubbles/light is currently in the test phase. A large field trial is currently underway at Barkley Lock and Dam in Kentucky. This full scale test was fully installed last fall and data collection for the next couple of years will begin this year. Another test system is in the design phase for Lock and Dam 19 on the Mississippi River. These site were chosen for the number of invasive carp in the area. It will provide information on the effectiveness of this technology. Other technologies are also being explored, a good synopsis is provided in the Potential Use of Deterrents to Manage Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi River. The state also contracted for a feasibility study at Lock and Dam 5, the first step in a potential project (see attached document). Conclusions from the report included the need to test the system where invasive carp are more prevalent to understand effectiveness before investing in a system at Lock 5. With that being said, deployment of current technologies would not have been able to stop fish from moving up river in 2019. The dam gates were fully open system wide (open river) for an extended period of time.
The MN DNR understands the importance of the Mississippi River system and the potential negative impacts of invasive carp. We are working with our partners to slow and hopefully reverse the spread of these species. A lot of information on the work that is occurring on this issue in the basin can be found at the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association webpage (scroll down to Upper Miss). I am also more than willing to discuss in more detail so please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thanks
Nick
Nick Frohnauer
Invasive Fish Coordinator | Division of Ecological and Water Resources
The attachments:
The update
DNR and partner agencies to conduct innovative search for invasive carp
First time for new method in Minnesota/Wisconsin waters
Beginning April 5, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will lead an intensive invasive carp removal effort in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis. The innovative Modified Unified Method (MUM) combines netting and herding techniques to drive and concentrate invasive carp from a large area of water into a small zone for removal.
This is the first time the MUM method has been used in Minnesota or Wisconsin waters and the first time it has been used anywhere as an early detection and rapid response technique. The DNR is conducting this work in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This MUM exercise was designed as part of a response to the capture of 39 silver carp and 12 grass carp in Pool 8 in March 2020. To date in 2021, there have been eight additional invasive carp captured in or near Pool 8. The goal is to remove invasive carp present in Pool 8, curb the potential for invasive carp reproduction, and prevent their establishment in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The operation will also yield more detailed information about any current invasive carp presence in Pool 8.
“Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we continue to break ground in the effort against invasive carp in our waters,” said Christine Goepfert, associate director of the National Parks Conservation Association and co-lead of the Stop Carp Coalition. “This field exercise to reduce carp in the Mississippi River is a positive step forward. This effort will help protect waters upstream, including the national park waters of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.”
This thorough search and removal effort will last for seven to 10 days. Progressive areas of Pool 8 will be closed for one to three days during this time, temporarily suspending commercial fishing and recreational use of portions of Pool 8. The operation will pause on Saturdays and Sundays, due to typically higher weekend boat traffic. The DNR has been contacting commercial fishing operations and others who might be affected to inform them of the effort and share the expected long-term benefits.
The MUM method, developed by the USGS, uses block nets to create compartments or “cells” from which the fish can be driven. The USGS then uses electrofishing boats and boats outfitted with underwater speakers to herd carp from each cell. When a cell is cleared, another net is used to close the cell and prevent the fish from returning. This process is repeated one cell at a time, gradually reducing the area available to the carp and concentrating the fish into a harvest removal area, where a large commercial seine will be used to draw out the congregated fish. Native fish do not seem to respond in the same way as the invasive carp, preferring to hide, rather than run, from the sound stimulus.
Five invasive carp previously tagged with acoustic transmitters will complement this effort by increasing effectiveness of targeting fish in Pool 8 and providing insights into their movements and other behaviors.
The DNR and other agencies will report the results when the operation and follow-up analyses are complete.
Invasive carp captures must be reported to the DNR immediately. Call 651-587-2781 or email [email protected]. Take a photo and transport the carp to the nearest DNR fisheries office or arrange for it to be picked up by a DNR official.
More information about invasive carp is available on the DNR invasive carp webpage.
The update
DNR and partner agencies to conduct innovative search for invasive carp
First time for new method in Minnesota/Wisconsin waters
Beginning April 5, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will lead an intensive invasive carp removal effort in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis. The innovative Modified Unified Method (MUM) combines netting and herding techniques to drive and concentrate invasive carp from a large area of water into a small zone for removal.
This is the first time the MUM method has been used in Minnesota or Wisconsin waters and the first time it has been used anywhere as an early detection and rapid response technique. The DNR is conducting this work in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This MUM exercise was designed as part of a response to the capture of 39 silver carp and 12 grass carp in Pool 8 in March 2020. To date in 2021, there have been eight additional invasive carp captured in or near Pool 8. The goal is to remove invasive carp present in Pool 8, curb the potential for invasive carp reproduction, and prevent their establishment in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The operation will also yield more detailed information about any current invasive carp presence in Pool 8.
“Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we continue to break ground in the effort against invasive carp in our waters,” said Christine Goepfert, associate director of the National Parks Conservation Association and co-lead of the Stop Carp Coalition. “This field exercise to reduce carp in the Mississippi River is a positive step forward. This effort will help protect waters upstream, including the national park waters of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.”
This thorough search and removal effort will last for seven to 10 days. Progressive areas of Pool 8 will be closed for one to three days during this time, temporarily suspending commercial fishing and recreational use of portions of Pool 8. The operation will pause on Saturdays and Sundays, due to typically higher weekend boat traffic. The DNR has been contacting commercial fishing operations and others who might be affected to inform them of the effort and share the expected long-term benefits.
The MUM method, developed by the USGS, uses block nets to create compartments or “cells” from which the fish can be driven. The USGS then uses electrofishing boats and boats outfitted with underwater speakers to herd carp from each cell. When a cell is cleared, another net is used to close the cell and prevent the fish from returning. This process is repeated one cell at a time, gradually reducing the area available to the carp and concentrating the fish into a harvest removal area, where a large commercial seine will be used to draw out the congregated fish. Native fish do not seem to respond in the same way as the invasive carp, preferring to hide, rather than run, from the sound stimulus.
Five invasive carp previously tagged with acoustic transmitters will complement this effort by increasing effectiveness of targeting fish in Pool 8 and providing insights into their movements and other behaviors.
The DNR and other agencies will report the results when the operation and follow-up analyses are complete.
Invasive carp captures must be reported to the DNR immediately. Call 651-587-2781 or email [email protected]. Take a photo and transport the carp to the nearest DNR fisheries office or arrange for it to be picked up by a DNR official.
More information about invasive carp is available on the DNR invasive carp webpage.
This is happening right in my “backyard”. Can’t wait to see this in action. I wonder if they are looking for volunteers? Either way I probably wouldn’t be able to get away from work to see it or participate 
I don’t have them close to home. Totally want to eat one.
Josh, Schaefer’s Fish Market ships smoke Asian Carp along with other flavors.
Retail Store
21985 Waller Rd.
Fulton, IL 61252
Hours Of Operation 8a-5p- 7 days a week – 361 days a year
Closed: New Years Day, Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
P: 815-589-3368
Any updates on this?
Does anyone have intel on the rumored netting of “many” silver carp in Lake Pepin from this Fall?
I’m not a doom and gloom guy, but I do think Pool 4 offers a little bit of everything as far as bottom content, current, extensive backwaters, etc (which seems to be what is needed to develop a large spawning population). Let’s hope something can be done. Our native fish won’t ever completely succumb to the presence of these fish, but the Asian carp would create a huge adverse impact on the food chain and ultimately game fish populations.
Quote:
We performed the Modified Unified Method (MUM) 5 locations (through Thursday evening (4/8/21), with 2-3 more planned for Friday. As of right now invasive silver carp were captured at only one of those sites. On Wednesday (4/7) crews caught 29 silver carp (with as many jumping the nets) just west of Dairyland Power’s main office (off East Ave) on the south side of La Crosse.
These sites also held many common Mississippi River game and non-game species. They were captured and immediately released.
After today (Friday) sampling will be done for the time being, but plans are in the works to do this again in 2022.
Regards,
Jordan
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Jordan Weeks
Mississippi River Team–Fisheries Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse Wisconsin 54601
Phone: (608) 386-0970
Fax: (608) 785-9990
[email protected]
^That’s bad news for everyone.
That’s a lot of carp to have just arrived in Pool 8 on a year with average or even lower than average water levels for Spring. It is likely those fish wintered here and have reproduced in the area or are capable of doing so.
Yeah, not good. Thanks for bumping Bucky and thanks for update Brian
What do they do with all the carp?
What do they do with all the carp?
Feed them to Americans
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