Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations grass carp control

We have a 200 acre lake that was over stocked with grass carp several years ago. The lake is now void of vegetation. Any suggestions as to how we might go about thinning out the grass carp population. Population is in the hunreds.

I sure that you could sell the excess grass carp to those who want them. Just be careful due to the rules and regulations concerning these fish. I have heard that when overpopulated, grass carp can be baited into an area with grass clippings, (the contents of a lawn mowers grass bag) and netted as they rise to eat the grass floating on the surface.

Just toss some cut grass into the water and be ready with a dip net. If you want to kill them, be ready with a fishing bow. Perhaps you could use basket traps baited with grass also.

Earl - There is a relatively new thinning/removal "system" for grass carp (a similar version also exists for German carp). In short, the carp are attracted to floating feed rings with a specific type of feed that isn't very attractive to other fish species. Once the carp are regularly dining at the feeding rings, the inert bait is replaced with an identical bait that is treated with rotenone. The theoretical result is that the grass carp are selectively culled, both rapidly and en mass, while the majority of the desirable fish species are left unharmed. This "system" already has an EPA registration for this purpose. However, there are many issues to discuss before further pursuit. Email me with questions or for pdf info, if interested. Kelly D.(kduffie@estesinc.com)

What does a grass carp eat after they have completely done their job? I always figured they would eventually starve to death.

We had difficulty getting our grass carp in Ohio to eat the rotenone treated bait. They seemed to know the difference between the two types of pellets.

Get a Blue Heron. It will take care of the problem!!!

Seems to me that it would have to be the Blue Heron from hell to deal with those 20 lb carp!

Sounds like an idea for a new "B" movie about blue herons as big as twin engine airplanes that eat huge grass carp and young children. Let's tell hollywood. Can't be much worse than some of the recent bad movies.

Earl,
Call me..(903)564-5372. We need to talk strategy. Several things looming in the front of my mind. First, we may be able to electrofish some of the carp, depending on the lay of the lake, and cove areas. Second, we may be able to gill net some of them, depending on their traffic patterns. Thirdly, what in the world possessed anyone with a 200 acre lake to overstock grass carp in the first place? Those cigar-shaped creatures are heavily regulated in Texas. Red flags go straight up my flagpole.

I wish you guys were closer to Louisiana. You will soon have a spring spawn, probably April or May in Big "D" where all the carp get in the shallows and do their thing. You can shoot them with bows, but probably gill nets will catch more than any method when they migrate in and out of the shallows. I saw them once at Toledo Bend Reservoir during the spawn and it sounded and looked like someone was throwing bowling balls into the lake from 10' high, some weighed 40-50 pounds. Be ready with some net! I do however like the movie idea!