Prussian carp in Mcgregor

[Newellknik]

A young friend of mine swears he saw a couple
Of Prussians ,finning in shallow water in Mcgregor .
Anyone else seen this .

[DiabeticKripple]

I bet by now they are spread through the bow drainage and reservoirs.

[TROLLER]

Too bad they never made it to PCR maybe then you could catch a walleye that was over 1.5 lbs. If they are in Mcgregor it will be additional food for the walleye and pike.

[Habfan]

Too bad they never made it to PCR maybe then you could catch a walleye that was over 1.5 lbs. If they are in Mcgregor it will be additional food for the walleye and pike.

Glass half full ! Prussian carp eat everything, including fish eggs. They also use a lot of oxygen once they start to thrive, creating winter kill. Glass half empty !!! It might create a lot of big fish now, but we're doomed in the long run. :sign0176:

[straight]

Glass half full ! Prussian carp eat everything, including fish eggs.
Whitefish eat fish eggs, burbot eat fish eggs, rainbow eat fish eggs, sucker eat fish eggs.... How come there is still some fish left in waters?

[huntsfurfish]

Best read up on how prolific prussian carp are, likely not going to be as rosy as you think.

[jeprli]

Once they collapse food chain, they drink up all the water. Birds and gophers are not safe, these suckers will vacuum off any fur or feathered creature.

[Habfan]

Whitefish eat fish eggs, burbot eat fish eggs, rainbow eat fish eggs, sucker eat fish eggs.... How come there is still some fish left in waters?

Those carp breed like mosquitos and can live almost anywhere. Once they take over a lake, you will be saying " how come there is no fish left in waters ?" Are you a fan of this introduction of carp ?

[the local angler]

well at least for macgregor has a small fighting chance as they still have a good population of big pike and walleyes, which would mean all you can eat buffet for them.

[Habfan]

well at least for macgregor has a small fighting chance as they still have a good population of big pike and walleyes, which would mean all you can eat buffet for them.
With the closure of commercial fishing and this new food source, has potential for some very big predators ! :sHa_shakeshout:

[the local angler]

Its not safe to go back in the water .......lol

[59whiskers]

Bad news for native species in the long run. The government has been quiet about this infestation of Prussian Carp. The drainage ditch from Lakeside Packers is full of them north east of Brooks. They are spreading fast.

[the local angler]

wow we need huge populations of pelicans then

[Dazz]

Blindman River is infested as well......Last year I kept snagging them while fishing for Pike. I'm sure the Red Deer River is packed full as well..... Hey, if they're not impacting the environment and our fisheries and providing another food source for our predator fish I'm all for them. But obviously that's not the case unfortunately.

[Fishslayer99]

Nothing good will come of these fish in our waterways. They have been around for over ten years originating in the Rosebud river tributaries. The population is exploding and they will become more and more abundant.

They are in all water bodies in southern Alberta that are part of the SRD canal system, and as far North as Red Deer. The Bow river is full of them and they are here to stay as nothing can be done to eradicate them. They reproduce like mice, breeding 3 or more times per year. They tear up substrate and require little to no oxygen to survive and will live out of water for 8 hours or more. They can overwinter in a lake even if it freezes solid because they have the ability to bury themselves in the mud and go dormant.

They are one of the worst invasive species for native fish, and will most certainly have a drastic impact on our fisheries. Some predator fish will certainly benefit in the short term, until they overpopulate the water bodies.

[straight]

Those carp breed like mosquitos and can live almost anywhere. Once they take over a lake, you will be saying " how come there is no fish left in waters ?" Are you a fan of this introduction of carp ?

I'm not a fan of any intentional chages in mother-nature at all. But I fished many waters back home where that bloody prussian carp was introduced. And fishing was good and nobody complained about carp taking over. Perch or walleye can make more damage for ecosystem.

[Habfan]

I'm not a fan of any intentional chages in mother-nature at all. But I fished many waters back home where that bloody prussian carp was introduced. And fishing was good and nobody complained about carp taking over. Perch or walleye can make more damage for ecosystem.

Then things are looking up ! Thanks for that. :)

[Fishslayer99]

I'm not a fan of any intentional chages in mother-nature at all. But I fished many waters back home where that bloody prussian carp was introduced. And fishing was good and nobody complained about carp taking over. Perch or walleye can make more damage for ecosystem.

I highly disagree with that statement...is back home Europe by chance? Whole different ball game. There is plenty of research online done on these fish and the havoc they can create for native fish. An invasive carp can not be compared to Perch or Walleye.

[JareS]

I'm not a fan of any intentional chages in mother-nature at all. But I fished many waters back home where that bloody prussian carp was introduced. And fishing was good and nobody complained about carp taking over. Perch or walleye can make more damage for ecosystem.

Perch and walleye are NATIVE, and part of the natural ecosystem, whereas Carp are NON-NATIVE or INTRODUCED

Someone putting perch in your local trout pond doesn't compare whatsoever to an Invasive Species taking over entire watersheds. Environmental effects include out competing native fish for habitat; loss of native fish species; changing the type of fishery via alteration of fish community structure, food chains, and habitat alteration/destruction. After a while they become the dominant fish species.

[Fishslayer99]

perch and walleye are native, and part of the natural ecosystem, whereas carp are non-native or introduced

someone putting perch in your local trout pond doesn't compare whatsoever to an invasive species taking over entire watersheds. Environmental effects include out competing native fish for habitat; loss of native fish species; changing the type of fishery via alteration of fish community structure, food chains, and habitat alteration/destruction. After a while they become the dominant fish species.

bingo!!!

[CNP]

Bad news for native species in the long run. The government has been quiet about this infestation of Prussian Carp. The drainage ditch from Lakeside Packers is full of them north east of Brooks. They are spreading fast.

People are not listening lalalalalalalalalalalal

http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species/fish.aspx

http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species/documents/AIS-Quickfacts-PrussianCarp-May2015.pdf

[jcampenot]

Regardless if a species is native or not.. please don't add to waterways.. it will unbalance the ecosystem... leave it to the professionals to manage these populations.

[Sundancefisher]

Too bad they never made it to PCR maybe then you could catch a walleye that was over 1.5 lbs. If they are in Mcgregor it will be additional food for the walleye and pike.

None native illegal fish introductions are NEVER a good thing. I get what you are thinking. Maybe perch might of helped however my understanding of the biology of PCR is its a poor sustainer of small fish fauna due to the natural algae/plankton/macrophyte community.

In other words it appears the best use for the lake after trying pike/walleye combination is trout since they can thrive better on critters like shrimps, mayflies, caddisflies, damselflies etc.

[Sundancefisher]

I'm not a fan of any intentional chages in mother-nature at all. But I fished many waters back home where that bloody prussian carp was introduced. And fishing was good and nobody complained about carp taking over. Perch or walleye can make more damage for ecosystem.

totally false and you can't get further from the truth.

Unfortunately these illegal introductions are from people who think they are smart but are not and are causing irreparable damage for generations to come.

Totally selfish and self-serving and wrong beyond belief because people do it for themselves and kid themselves thinking they are doing it to help everyone. It continue to astounds that people post like you however I thank you since it provides an opportunity to teach since others are not brave enough to at least post what they believe to be correct.

I just hope you can learn and pass along that moving any fish around is extremely bad and to not do it.

SDF

[Sooner]

Which is the most likely start to the Prussian carp invasion? Was it started by a bucket brigade wanting their favorite fish here or just idiots dumping their "pets" into a water body when they tired of them? It's sad to think of all the damage done by the bucket brigades.

[pinelakeperch]

Which is the most likely start to the Prussian carp invasion? Was it started by a bucket brigade wanting their favorite fish here or just idiots dumping their "pets" into a water body when they tired of them? It's sad to think of all the damage done by the bucket brigades.

I believe it was from people wanting a food fish from their home country in local waters. While they're closely related to goldfish, I don't believe anyone would have had a Prussian carp as a pet.

[JareS]

Which is the most likely start to the Prussian carp invasion? Was it started by a bucket brigade wanting their favorite fish here or just idiots dumping their "pets" into a water body when they tired of them? It's sad to think of all the damage done by the bucket brigades.

That's what I find odd about this.. The only ever record of importation to North America happened in 1876, imported to New York State from Germany. They did not naturalize, nor were there any reports whatsoever of this specimen until 2006 when they magically appeared in Alberta; the first ever confirmed case of Prussian Carp in North American waters.

It's widely beleived that they were in a private dugout/pond that flooded and spilled into the river, as they were detected one year after the floods of '05

So how did they get into that dugout in the first place? Smuggled in a water jug in someone's luggage from an overseas flight? That would be my guess

[stirfry1]

Just talked to a coupler of farmers in the EID and they are getting Prussian carp plugging up intakes on pumps and center pivot filters.

The one guy said his pump sounded like a meat grinder. Invasive species can affect more than a person thinks

[Habfan]

I have heard that releasing these carp into waters is good luck, to a certain culture. Also was told it was a traditional thing that involved weddings ! I have not researched this rumour as of yet !!

[EZM]

I believe it was from people wanting a food fish from their home country in local waters. While they're closely related to goldfish, I don't believe anyone would have had a Prussian carp as a pet.

That's not accurate of the Prussian carp.

You are confusing Prussian Carp with Asian carp - two completely different species originating from two different areas of the world.

Asian people were bringing Asian Carp in to eat in both Canada and the US and they were most likely introduced into waterways (likely on purpose) by many who wanted to raise and rear them for food - and, of course, they were able to get into other watersheds, quickly spreading out of control, and creating the massive mess these invasives are causing.

The Prussian carp comes from a different part of the world and there is no evidence they were brought here for food or as pets. I have not heard what the source of the original introduction was - and I'm not sure we definitively know at this point.

Also, although they are of the same family of fish (Carp) a small 1 oz pet store goldfish doesn't mutate into a 3 lb Prussian carp (unless you live near a nuclear power plant maybe ..lol)

[Don Andersen]

Could they have been removed when originally found in Rosebud creek - probably.
Who dropped the ball - same guys who are responsible for Whirling Disease, Chronic wasting disease and on and on.


Don

[JareS]

Could they have been removed when originally found in Rosebud creek - probably.
Who dropped the ball - same guys who are responsible for Whirling Disease, Chronic wasting disease and on and on.


Don

Hmm, perhaps blame the people who put them there in the first place, not the people who are trying to keep it contained.

Prussian Carp are here because of someone importing and transporting them illegally. Unlike other Aquatic invasives that expand themselves into new jurisdictions from other places. Ie- Asian Carp moving their way up to and possibly into the Great Lakes

Getting rid of any population of the Prussian Carp may have beem partially contained by seine or gill netting but chemicals, (Rotenone) is essentially not used anymore because it kills everything and everything, causing more harm than good. Thats in lakes, ponds, etc. Will never be used again in flowing waters.

[Sundancefisher]

Hmm, perhaps blame the people who put them there in the first place, not the people who are trying to keep it contained.

Prussian Carp are here because of someone importing and transporting them illegally. Unlike other Aquatic invasives that expand themselves into new jurisdictions from other places. Ie- Asian Carp moving their way up to and possibly into the Great Lakes

Getting rid of any population of the Prussian Carp may have beem partially contained by seine or gill netting but chemicals, (Rotenone) is essentially not used anymore because it kills everything and everything, causing more harm than good. Thats in lakes, ponds, etc. Will never be used again in flowing waters.

Actually. What you say about rotenone is pure falsehood.

Please read up and understand it before spreading misinformation.

[pikergolf]

We had a local golf course that had hundreds of them in a pond. When we had the big flood of 2013, that pond was flooded out. I'm sure that is not the only instance of carp being flooded into the water system.

[last minute]

Nothing good will come of these fish in our waterways. They have been around for over ten years originating in the Rosebud river tributaries. The population is exploding and they will become more and more abundant.are they not good to eat :thinking-006:

[calgarychef]

are they not good to eat :thinking-006:

I tried eating some that I bowfished and they were "very not good." Perhaps if a person put them in clean water for a few days it would help them but it's hard to do that once you've run them through with an arrow.

[jeprli]

Not sure where you got your fish, but it should have almost sweet taste to it.

WWith so many bones they are best deep fried. Score them with a knife every 1/4" or less, dust them in seasoning flour and fry them in pig lard. Cooking oil will just dry it out to a consistency of cardboard no matter how you season it.

[ak77]

Anyone heard about some plans to introduce gator gars into some of the northern states in the East coast to combat Asian carps?

[Foshizzle13]

Anyone heard about some plans to introduce gator gars into some of the northern states in the East coast to combat Asian carps?



That sounds like a bad idea, then they eat everything else?

[huntsfurfish]

Anyone heard about some plans to introduce gator gars into some of the northern states in the East coast to combat Asian carps?

Yes, also heard that. But I thought I heard it was to reintroduce into areas they were native to. And that they want to protect them with catch and release with zero limits.

[i love fishing]

perch does do a damage to trout but not walleye or pike ,not even sturgeon

[rycoma]

I have a book published in the late 60's titled the fishes of alberta documenting a carp like speicies in the red deer, Saskatchewan, battle, lower bow rivers. Called a quill back large scales. Max 26 inches lond weight to 12 lbs. Look just like carp to me. Latin name Carpiodes cyprinus

[pinelakeperch]

I have a book published in the late 60's titled the fishes of alberta documenting a carp like speicies in the red deer, Saskatchewan, battle, lower bow rivers. Called a quill back large scales. Max 26 inches lond weight to 12 lbs. Look just like carp to me. Latin name Carpiodes cyprinus

Rare member of the sucker family. Would love to catch one.

[AK47]

Perch and walleye are NATIVE, and part of the natural ecosystem, whereas Carp are NON-NATIVE or INTRODUCED

.

Prussian carp was not native to Eastern Europe once as well. None of Eastern European fisheries collapsed because of Prussian Carp. I think you guys are vastly overrating danger of Prussian carp.

[AK47]

1 oz pet store goldfish doesn't mutate into a 3 lb Prussian carp (unless you live near a nuclear power plant maybe ..lol)

Actually it is opposite. Goldfish was selectively bred from Prussian Carp. If you check any feeder goldfish in any fish stores you will see ones which look like Prussian carp - silver colour and very little decorative features. Maybe few of those somehow made it to the waters and reversed to their natural looks after few spawns.
From Wikipedia
Goldfish can hybridise with certain other species of carp as well as C. a. gibelio. Within three breeding generations, the vast majority of the hybrid spawn revert to the wild type colour.

[Lornce]

Prussian carp can be bought live in many Calgary European/oriental stores. I've even seen them at Co-op. Not a big reach for some idiot who wants their nearby flood pond or stream stocked with illegals.

[Jigger]

I have a book published in the late 60's titled the fishes of alberta documenting a carp like speicies in the red deer, Saskatchewan, battle, lower bow rivers. Called a quill back large scales. Max 26 inches lond weight to 12 lbs. Look just like carp to me. Latin name Carpiodes cyprinus

Ive accidentally snagged a few in the red deer when dragging rapalas looking for walleyes in the deep pools. Neat looking fishes, had to do some research the first time as i had no idea what it was

[pikeman06]

Wish I had pictures but I got a couple quill backs out of the battle in the early 90's in the hardisty wainwright area. The crayfish were also just showing up and I was chasing a few goldeye for a couple weeks that were hanging out in a school and to this day haven't seen any even close to that size. It's not like that anymore but the fisheries people were down there and tagging our walleyes with the floy and telemetry type tags. Didn't know quill back got 12 pounds. But I caught them and they were 12 to 16 inch.s.

[Fishslayer99]

Prussian carp was not native to Eastern Europe once as well. None of Eastern European fisheries collapsed because of Prussian Carp. I think you guys are vastly overrating danger of Prussian carp.

Vastly overrating...? plenty of good information online for research on these fish. "breed 3 to 4 times per year" "destroy substrate" "reduce oxygen levels" "outcompete native fish for food" "overpopulate water bodies"

[BuckCuller]

Wish I had pictures but I got a couple quill backs out of the battle in the early 90's in the hardisty wainwright area. The crayfish were also just showing up and I was chasing a few goldeye for a couple weeks that were hanging out in a school and to this day haven't seen any even close to that size. It's not like that anymore but the fisheries people were down there and tagging our walleyes with the floy and telemetry type tags. Didn't know quill back got 12 pounds. But I caught them and they were 12 to 16 inch.s.

I caught a 6 lb quill back in the blind man in the early 90's also. I took it into fish and wildlife because I didn't know what it was. They wanted to mount it for the red Deer office but they wanted me to pay for it. Wasn't going to happen.

[AK47]

Vastly overrating...? plenty of good information online for research on these fish. "breed 3 to 4 times per year" "destroy substrate" "reduce oxygen levels" "outcompete native fish for food" "overpopulate water bodies"

None of that happened in Europe where they were introduced as well.

[pinelakeperch]

I caught a 6 lb quill back in the blind man in the early 90's also. I took it into fish and wildlife because I didn't know what it was. They wanted to mount it for the red Deer office but they wanted me to pay for it. Wasn't going to happen.

:scared::scared::scared::scared::scared:

Are they nuts?

[huntsfurfish]

None of that happened in Europe where they were introduced as well.

How do you know that? How was the fishing and were you fishing there before they were introduced?

Just being here displaces native species!

[Fishslayer99]

None of that happened in Europe where they were introduced as well.

Really...so they just pulled these facts out of thin air or made them up I guess? I personally will be trusting the professionals that have studied and researched these fish for several years, as well as my own observations on how polluted the water bodies and canals are with these things.

[AK47]

How do you know that? How was the fishing and were you fishing there before they were introduced?

Just being here displaces native species!

Obviously, I am not old enough to tell how was fishing before Prussian carp appeared in Europe. What I can tell is they are not dominating any bigger water areas like lakes, rivers or big reservoirs, in fact it is quite the opposite and it is rare for locals to specifically target them as there are way more dominant non predator fish like bream, roach, rudd, common carp, tench and so on. You may find them as only species in tiny little ponds where they are stunted and reach maximum to 100-200 gr at best and locals catch and use them for bait for pike or catfish fishing. Those little ponds have no value as fishing body anyway as they are used for watering or as a source of water for cattle.
Mother nature finds its way to take care of things like that, local predators like pike, burbot, trout and walleye will control Prussian carp just fine the same way like they are doing for years in Europe.

[AK47]

Really...so they just pulled these facts out of thin air or made them up I guess? I personally will be trusting the professionals that have studied and researched these fish for several years, as well as my own observations on how polluted the water bodies and canals are with these things.

Can you show my any links with scientific studies on any bigger water body overtaken by Prussian carp in Europe?

[Fishslayer99]

Obviously, I am not old enough to tell how was fishing before Prussian carp appeared in Europe. What I can tell is they are not dominating any bigger water areas like lakes, rivers or big reservoirs, in fact it is quite the opposite and it is rare for locals to specifically target them as there are way more dominant non predator fish like bream, roach, rudd, common carp, tench and so on. You may find them as only species in tiny little ponds where they are stunted and reach maximum to 100-200 gr at best and locals catch and use them for bait for pike or catfish fishing. Those little ponds have no value as fishing body anyway as they are used for watering or as a source of water for cattle.
Mother nature finds its way to take care of things like that, local predators like pike, burbot, trout and walleye will control Prussian carp just fine the same way like they are doing for years in Europe.

These fish are piled up by the hundreds of thousands in all the SRD canal systems. I have pictures and videos of these fish reaching 15" and almost 2 pounds. These canal systems are directly connected to almost every LARGE lake and reservoir in southern Alberta. They are not isolated to "tiny little ponds" and are in the Bow river, South Saskatchewan, Oldman and more. I believe you know little to nothing about these fish from your comments. Time will tell what impact these fish will have on our fisheries as I am no expert and I think its safe to say neither are you.

[sdb8440]

Seems to me AK47 that the risks here are very real, especially considering our native species do not reproduce at the same rate and may not be prolific enough to eat that many carp...so your European comparison is foolish, especially when you read about how cane toads have transformed a large swath of Australia since their introduction for comparison.



http://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2014/4/BIR_2014_Elgin_etal.pdf



"The impacts of C. gibelio on native fish
communities and aquatic ecosystems in Southern
Alberta have not been estimated. However, the
negative impacts described in Europe, Asia, and
the Middle East suggest impacts in Alberta could
be substantial. The establishment of C. gibelio in
Europe has caused multiple fishery declines,
particularly with native cyprinids (Economidis et
al. 2000; Gaygusuz et al. 2007). C. gibelio have
a gynogenetic reproductive strategy that results
in reproductive competition that may reduce
native cyprinid population size (Tarkan et al.
2012). In Alberta, the May – August spawning
period of many native cyprinids overlaps with C.
gibelio’s, and increase the likelihood of reproductive
competition and subsequent population decline
(Nelson and Paetz 1992; Kottlat and Freyhof
2007). Direct competition for pelagic zooplankton
and benthic invertebrates may also reduce native
cyprinid populations (Lusk 2010). Additionally,
by removing pelagic zooplankton, C. gibelio can
weaken the top-down control zooplankton excerpt
on phytoplankton, resulting in turbid water.
Furthermore, consumption of lake benthos stirs
up bottom sediments, which can contribute to
increased turbidity. The irrigation canals, small
prairie streams, and shallow lakes also typically
lack piscivorous fish, leading to a lack of predation
on C. gibelio.
First detected in a single lake in 2006, C.
gibelio has since been documented as occurring
in parts of three adjacent major drainage basins
in the Canadian province of Alberta. Because
sampling effort has been uneven, additional
sampling may reveal an even broader distribution
and greater abundance. The potential consequence
of this uncontrolled spread is especially high
since the Oldman and South Saskatchewan River
basins border the Milk River, which is part of the
Mississippi River basin. A recent risk assessment
and climate match model conducted by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that C.
gibelio has a moderate to high climate match with the U.S.A. states that border Alberta and
that the United States is at high risk of invasion
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2012). This suggests
that southern Canadian provinces with similar
climates are equally vulnerable to invasion. In
the absence of management efforts to control
their populations and spread, C. gibelio is likely
to continue spreading into new basins, causing
unknown consequences to native biota, ecosystems,
and economies."

[landwalker]

Some of the posts are getting racial, disgusting.

By reading thru carp thread and combined with my own observation, believe it started from feeder fish from pet store, they were used to feed fishes like Piranha, the price was like $10 for 50.

Then some people bought back and put them into water pond on private land, with a flood, everything is out of control.

[smitty9]

totally false and you can't get further from the truth.

Unfortunately these illegal introductions are from people who think they are smart but are not and are causing irreparable damage for generations to come.

Totally selfish and self-serving and wrong beyond belief because people do it for themselves and kid themselves thinking they are doing it to help everyone. It continue to astounds that people post like you however I thank you since it provides an opportunity to teach since others are not brave enough to at least post what they believe to be correct.

I just hope you can learn and pass along that moving any fish around is extremely bad and to not do it.

SDF

^this x 1000

[goldscud]

Prussian carp were first introduced to an irrigation canal northeast of Chestermere by an illegal dumping from a private fish farm adjacent to a canal.
Now that facility grows Talapia. That water eventually gets to the Red Deer River. So this was an intentional dumping rather than euthanizing and properly disposing of the carp.

After that there were lots of fish moved around no doubt by people.
The carp's incredible ability to reproduce has allowed the population to explode across southern Alberta

[SNAPFisher]

Some of the posts are getting racial, disgusting.


And out of date, like 5 years ago. I always get a kick out of posters that ignore the date of the post. It is kind of like fail Army:

Fail (https://media.giphy.com/media/26DNafBwIEMJ4OvuM/giphy.gif)

[Lornce]

We as fishermen should look at this as a challenge. There is no limit on these evasive species. Get em. I have had good success with a bloodworm fly under an indicator.

A good watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AngWmQSwY1A)

And here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCq2P_1uZVQ)

[kouleerunner]

[QUOTE=Lornce;4519679]We as fishermen should look at this as a challenge. There is no limit on these evasive species. Get em./QUOTE]

Washington state has a bounty on pikeminnow. Fisherman have made over $100,000USD just fishing Pikeminnow. If Alberta environment put a bounty on Prussian carp, that would be a game changer! I would definitely change my mindset on targeting them!

[calgarygringo]

Washington bounty
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/creel/pikeminnow

[landwalker]

Prussian carp were first introduced to an irrigation canal northeast of Chestermere by an illegal dumping from a private fish farm adjacent to a canal.
Now that facility grows Talapia. That water eventually gets to the Red Deer River. So this was an intentional dumping rather than euthanizing and properly disposing of the carp.

After that there were lots of fish moved around no doubt by people.
The carp's incredible ability to reproduce has allowed the population to explode across southern Alberta

Kind of doubted, heard that farm used to grow whitefish. Prussian carp growth rate is not fast enough to make profit, haven't heard anyone farming on it.

[landwalker]

We as fishermen should look at this as a challenge. There is no limit on these evasive species. Get em. I have had good success with a bloodworm fly under an indicator.

A good watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AngWmQSwY1A)

And here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCq2P_1uZVQ)

That sounds interesting, like to give it a try. Is there a picture or video of?

[goldscud]

Landwalker, I was told by a friend of the owner.

If you analyze where the water flows from that irrigation ditch and where the carp first showed up as they made there way to the Red Deer river it makes for a very good case.
Prussian carp were discarded because they were not a good choice for business

[that dude]

Are there any practical uses for Carp? I have seen drainage canals so packed with them I could nearly walk across, but wasn't sure what to do with them. Has anyone tried eating them?

[kouleerunner]

Are there any practical uses for Carp? I have seen drainage canals so packed with them I could nearly walk across, but wasn't sure what to do with them. Has anyone tried eating them?

You have a fish species that has no limit and a catch an kill order. Talk about opportunity if you love eating fish!.

I would give them a try. A quick google search will get you a multitude of recipes.

[that dude]

You have a fish species that has no limit and a catch an kill order. Talk about opportunity if you love eating fish!.

I would give them a try. A quick google search will get you a multitude of recipes.

Thanks! I am thinking of trying to bowfish for them, might be good practice for hunting season :)

[slough shark]

Are there any practical uses for Carp? I have seen drainage canals so packed with them I could nearly walk across, but wasn't sure what to do with them. Has anyone tried eating them?

Probably the main things that come to mind is bait, either for trapping or bear hunting from there feeding your dog/cat or fertilizer

[Crankbait]

Severn Rez has been destroyed and I say it was purposeful. How did people all of a sudden know to have a special rod . One car that frequents the Rockford pond now frequents Severn.

It's really brutal,,, carp are a large reason for blue green algae too. Used to like Severn for lazy day fishing and a BBQ

[slough shark]

Severn Rez has been destroyed and I say it was purposeful. How did people all of a sudden know to have a special rod . One car that frequents the Rockford pond now frequents Severn.

It's really brutal,,, carp are a large reason for blue green algae too. Used to like Severn for lazy day fishing and a BBQ

Are they thick out there and of any size? I haven’t been there in a few years and it would be too bad, it was a spot where there was always a chance of a trout bigger than 8 inches.

[Frank_NK28]

If they are not considered a game fish and are not protected maybe there is a way to net them using dip nets or seine nets and remove and kill them in large numbers?

[SNAPFisher]

If they are not considered a game fish and are not protected maybe there is a way to net them using dip nets or seine nets and remove and kill them in large numbers?

Meaning putting nets to a good use... ;)
I'm all for that.

[antler1]

As quoted above:

"Prussian carp was not native to Eastern Europe once as well. None of Eastern European fisheries collapsed because of Prussian Carp. I think you guys are vastly overrating danger of Prussian carp"

I suggest you take a run down to the Blood Indian Dam SE of Hanna and see what the carp that were INTRODUCED there have done to that one time prairie jewel. If you like fishing in chocolate milk (we fly fish) then this is the place for you. The carp stirred up the sediment so badly you can hardly see anything past a couple of feet-if that. An yet this reservoir keeps on getting large amount of fish resources plowed into it. The tigers and browns did not eat up all the carp as was hoped. What a mess.

[Sharpie]

There's a reason it tells you right in the regs " If you catch one, Kill it"

[dodger]

Severn Rez has been destroyed and I say it was purposeful. How did people all of a sudden know to have a special rod . One car that frequents the Rockford pond now frequents Severn.

It's really brutal,,, carp are a large reason for blue green algae too. Used to like Severn for lazy day fishing and a BBQ

40 years ago this was a special little reservoir in my youth. Every weekend camping, fishing, bird hunting the fields in the fall. So sad !!!

Dodger.

[Lornce]

That sounds interesting, like to give it a try. Is there a picture or video of?

I have run into Prussians in a few spots on the Bow. Usually in slack water. I tie up these wireworms with a bead up front, red wire on a #14-16 hook, and some Ultra-stretch behind the bead. I think most small Suspend under a fly fishing indicator and it's usually a killer. Great on a fly rod. Great garden Fertilizer.

https://i.imgur.com/93zxprg.jpg

[Who Da Fisherman]

Severn Rez has been destroyed and I say it was purposeful. How did people all of a sudden know to have a special rod . One car that frequents the Rockford pond now frequents Severn.

It's really brutal,,, carp are a large reason for blue green algae too. Used to like Severn for lazy day fishing and a BBQ

I never heard that they cause blue algae, how is it that they do?
WDF

[landwalker]

From my tracing from public resource and bit of personal experience, Prussian carp came as feeder fish in pet store.

[mongo]

Best read up on how prolific prussian carp are, likely not going to be as rosy as you think.
Correct ... would be a disaster later.

[Lornce]

Prussian Carp are bad news, please have a look and kill any you encounter.
Females do not need males to reproduce, they can use other species to clone themselves. They can reproduce 3 times a year. They tend to choke out all other gamefish. if you catch one kill it and dispose of it.

https://www.alberta.ca/invasive-fish-species.aspx#jumplinks-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYE1ciyvf2M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCq2P_1uZVQ

[thumper]

Recent studies indicate that some Prussian carp eggs can survive going through Mallard duck digestive systems. It only takes a couple of viable eggs in duck poop, to colonize a new waterbody. So - not all 'transplants' are caused by 'bucket brigade' anglers.

Scuds often travel between water bodies by hitchhiking in waterfowl's feathers, have a close look at the undersides of ducks and geese beside ponds, and look for those little, curled up shrimp clinging on underneath. Perhaps that's how juvenile crawfish are colonizing new waterways as well.

[Frank_NK28]

Recent studies indicate that some Prussian carp eggs can survive going through Mallard duck digestive systems. It only takes a couple of viable eggs in duck poop, to colonize a new waterbody. So - not all 'transplants' are caused by 'bucket brigade' anglers.

Scuds often travel between water bodies by hitchhiking in waterfowl's feathers, have a close look at the undersides of ducks and geese beside ponds, and look for those little, curled up shrimp clinging on underneath. Perhaps that's how juvenile crawfish are colonizing new waterways as well.

This is spot on! I shoot several geese every season loaded with live scuds under their feathers. You know those scuds aren't hanging on until they get home. They are dropping off in the first water that goose lands in next. A friend of mine has a huge dugout on his property. It was made about 8 years ago. The geese are on it late in the season when everywhere else is frozen over as it stays open due to it's 35' depth. He put trout in it a few years ago. The trout are full of scuds! There is no water source that filled that dugout except winter snow melt, rainwater and ground discharge from the water table. It took three years to fill. I shoot lots of geese coming off that dugout that have scuds under their feathers. Mother natures transfer system! Blue Herons are known transfer systems too. Fish and frogs eggs are a big one as they stick to their legs as they wade shallow waters. There is lots more than just the bucket brigade but they are of no help either.

[pikeman06]

Of course that's how these critters get moved around. There's guys on this forum that will argue with you till one of you gets the boot. Lived in rural alberta my while life there are dugouts with minnows in them, crayfish in them, suckers and even the odd pike. Mother nature spreads her forage around so the food chain can work.

[cranky]

We as fishermen should look at this as a challenge. There is no limit on these evasive species. Get em. I have had good success with a bloodworm fly under an indicator.

A good watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AngWmQSwY1A)

And here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCq2P_1uZVQ)

I started targeting them exclusively last year. They are fun to catch and im helping to eradicate them in my small way. 20 to 30 each time i fish. Could be way more per time but im limited by health and age. I use a 14 foot pole and basically copy the folks who use the longer poles. Bait is cheap, just mostly dough with some flavor additives.

Just got to be careful if you bonk them to make sure there dead. There tough little buggers and come back to life it seems often. I just poke a hole in there brain and throw them in a garbage bag. I dont eat them so i just dispose of them in the garbage.

[radubc]

I wonder if I’m the only one seeing the irony in these posts…

Anyway, as far as I know, that carp is edible. This means that the carp has the worst enemy it can have: humans. This brings me to my question: where can I find them around Calgary? I want to do my part. I promise to kill them with a frying pan. Even two, if necessary.

[goku88]

I started targeting them exclusively last year. They are fun to catch and im helping to eradicate them in my small way. 20 to 30 each time i fish. Could be way more per time but im limited by health and age. I use a 14 foot pole and basically copy the folks who use the longer poles. Bait is cheap, just mostly dough with some flavor additives.

Just got to be careful if you bonk them to make sure there dead. There tough little buggers and come back to life it seems often. I just poke a hole in there brain and throw them in a garbage bag. I dont eat them so i just dispose of them in the garbage.

frank lake has at least 100,000 prussian carp in a 50 feet by 300 feet channel. feed by high river slaughter house.their in 1 feet to 3 water. not edible major chemical in waste water but catching 20 to 50 an hour is sure fun. leave on ground feed bird or garbage help eradicate. warn others its not edible