Red Deer River and prussian carp

[SNAPFisher]

Took a trip to the RDR two weeks ago. Water was high...too high down stream of the dam. So went to the dam and fished right at it. It was fast but fishable there. Against the dam wall it was not fishable though and was very turbulent. So fished a bit down from there. Had several hits that I'm sure were walleye. After landing nothing went around to the opposite side of the dam. I could see a couple of pelicans gobbling some fish down regularly. Once I got over there I figured what they were eating, prussian carp.

I was looking to cast out and something caught my eye. It was school of them practically at my feet. There were about 3 different schools and maybe over 100 of them between all 3 schools. As the water would surge they would get pushed towards the shore or against the wall of the dam. The pelicans were along the wall of the dam and were enjoying easy pickings. After an hour there were about 7 pelicans doing the same. Good for them!

I also casted into the school when the got close. They readily took a small san juan worm imitation. And unbaited too. I landed quite a few of the buggers to get the skunk off. Fun but not that fun really. First time I've come across then since hearing about the invasion.

https://i.postimg.cc/WbKqbc0P/IMG-0589.jpg (https://postimg.cc/TpV3CSkk)

https://i.postimg.cc/9MWrNmHy/IMG-0592.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XZzjr0Jv)

From my observations, I think the bird life is enjoying predation rather than the pike. Those pelicans really gobbled down a lot in the couple of hours I was there.

[Carson13]

Seem to be seeing more and more, especially around dams. Even saw a koi fish in a tributary of the elbow last night... a problem that I hope is dealt with.

[bubba300]

Are they edible or can a guy kill them and leave them for the birds.

[calgarygringo]

[Many from Europe and Asians eat them a lot. Just lots of bones and from the few I have seen in bellies of fish I have caught the bones are heavy duty too compared to other fish. I would suggest a Youtube search for fillet method if it was me but outside of that I have heard the meat itself is really good. Not my cup of tea though so just hearsay.




QUOTE=bubba300;3991317]Are they edible or can a guy kill them and leave them for the birds.[/QUOTE]

[bitterrootfly]

Seem to be seeing more and more, especially around dams. Even saw a koi fish in a tributary of the elbow last night... a problem that I hope is dealt with.

Up or downstream of the reservoir? If it’s upstream (I live on the river) I’ll be trying to figure out which assclown released them.

[jednastka]

This is a rapidly expanding invasive species throughout the Red Deer and Bow River watersheds. DO NOT RETURN THE FISH TO WATER! KILL IT.


https://abinvasives.ca/invasive-species/publications/


Vic

[SNAPFisher]

This is a rapidly expanding invasive species throughout the Red Deer and Bow River watersheds. DO NOT RETURN THE FISH TO WATER! KILL IT.


https://abinvasives.ca/invasive-species/publications/


Vic

Thanks, I did return the first one to the water :ashamed:
I killed the next 3 I caught. Didn't keep them to eat.

[Dewey Cox]

Up or downstream of the reservoir? If it’s upstream (I live on the river) I’ll be trying to figure out which assclown released them.

Hopefully it's wearing a collar.
Then you can look up the owner on the assclown registry.

[enbeya]

They do not test good, but make sure do not go back to the water. Some ppl like them .

[struff55]

A few have been caught in lake diefinbaker , fisheries people have caught young fry they are reproducing in lake dief.

[kinwahkly]

Catch a bunch a freeze them. Dog food.

[Zip-in-Z]

Seen this video today .... Kentucky Dept Fish/Wildlife electric shock & capture of Asian Carp ... these Carp sure can fly.

D.


https://www.facebook.com/kdfwr/videos/724694117960710/?v=724694117960710



Link to story .... https://people.com/human-interest/fish-jump-out-water-shocked-electrical-current/



.

[Madpiper]

Hope we don’t see this spread like in the US. Anyone caught introducing non-native species should face a lifetime ban.

[does it ALL outdoors]

Kill 'em all!