I recieved a forward of an article on the Asian carp invasion of the Great Lakes. Seems it MAY not be such a big deal, as it is probable that they will be unable to survive in the great lakes. If anyone is interested, PM me with an email address and I will forward the article (Great Lakes Angler) to you. Tom

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A FISHING MARKET FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES.Asian carp are in big food demand overseas.I say all you can catch and sell ruling should be placed as soon as possible!
Try it all!

PM sent,That's something I'd like to read.

 Thanks Tom

Sam, Lycoming County North Central PA NAFC Life Member ,Angler Legacy Ambassador

grottonbill: Here in Illinois the taking of asian carp by any means short of dynamite or poison is encouraged, and bowfishing and netting tourneys are appearing. This is one place where C&R is not a good thing! Tom
Lifer from NE Illinois

I also heard that in Texas it's illegal to NOT immediately disembowel a caught Asian Carp or a tilapia, which seems harsh, but it is working.
"There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot." - Steven Wright

I think I would like to read that article, has anyone heard about the disease in the Great Lakes that is killing so many fish?

I will send you a PM Tom!

Have a good day!

Rusty

It does not matter if you are a Gazell or a Lion if you are not up and running before everyone else you will either go hungry or you will become food!!!

Panhead: I think you are refering to VHS. It's not just the great lakes but many waters in the midwest. There is a brief article on the home page about it showing up in Lk. Superior. Maybe Kurt can get the Doc to explain to us. Tom
Lifer from NE Illinois

I think a bounty program would be a good thing. Pay us to catch and then sell overseas or turn into Dog food. Boosts the economy. I re read an item In NAF mag about a bounty on on Pike minnow in washington state. Some guy made over 40 grand in one year.

Brian

Fishing! enough said.

Apparently, the asians are so widespread and so prolific that no amount of fishing will control them and a bounty program would be prohibitivly expensive. Tom
Lifer from NE Illinois

Probably right Tom. I know there are plenty of Common carp here in utah. Just  wishful thinking. I wouldn't mind making a few bucks while fishing.

Brian

Fishing! enough said.

We don't worry about the common carp, they don't jump out of the water when a boat passes by, and the asians can reach 100 lbs! That can spoil your whole day. Tom
Lifer from NE Illinois

ya i've seen the videos. looks pretty crazy.

Brian

Fishing! enough said.

TTT

Thanks Ed! Tom

i know our standard carp is a cold water species, i know grass carp overwintered in New York. Gold fish even survive winters if released that's why they are illegal for bait in NYS>

The Silver and Bighead that are the problem are not european but Asian in origin and don't tollerate cold water very well. They also require about 40 miles of flowing water for their eggs to hatch. Tom

i dont see how that is possible. because there is a little shoot that only gets water in it like 2 times a year maybe, and that water dont flow and they are still hatching.

Are you sure that you are seeing asian silver or bighead? More likely the fish you are seeing are common carp, not asians. Tom

it is not a common carp. it is either a asian or a bighead. but im positive that is not a common carp. i know this because they jump out of the water as you are driving the boat.

My Dad puts Asian carp in his freshwater pond of about 7 acres, about every 8-10 Years. He has caught several in the thirty pound bracket and one that weighed weighed well over 100 pounds. In addition he has caught a number of channel cats in the 25 pound category. He loves sitting in the shade and catching blue gills between the 1 to 1/12 pound, several shell crackers well above the 2 lb. mark and it is not unusual to catch white crappie over two pounds. I have caught some beautiful bass, often in the 8 pound category, a few over 10 lb. and 3 over 15 pounds. Dad usually fishes with ultra light reel, 6 pound line and a Wally Marshall crappie rod. He called me again last night to tell me he had caught a small catfish that weighed 28 pounds. There is great joy and pride in sharing him and these fish stories when I realize I am 63 and Dad is 83 years old.

We have never had a Asian Carp to reproduce. I think the fish he uses is called a White Amur. His life might make a great story for you. I thank God he practiced taking a kid fishing before I knew I was a kid. Maybe the time has come when we need to look around and take some of those older kids fishing!

Tommy McCook, Jr.
Life Member 2009