Carp

Ice doesn't stop carp removal project at Utah Lake

Carp are a common sight in many Utah lakes and waterways, and in most cases, aren’t considered a major threat to the other fish species in those waters.

That’s not the case in Utah Lake west of Provo, where an exploding population of the large fish has taken over and been threatening an endangered species for decades.

Bill Loy Jr., center, and his son Cody Loy, left, operate a fishing boat while netting for the invasive carp species on Utah Lake in Utah County. The fishing crew is two years into a six-year contract with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Utah to rid the lake of five million pounds of the invasive species each year in order to revive the endangered June sucker population. (AP Photo/The Daily Herald, Jim McAuley)

Father, son make living fishing carp at Utah Lake

PROVO — A Utah County family of fishermen faces an enormous task — ridding Utah Lake of an invasive species.

Fifth generation Utah Lake fisherman Bill Loy Jr., his son Cody Loy and their fishing crew of six men cast their nets daily to pull millions of pounds of wriggling carp in each year.

University of Minnesota scientists wage war on carp

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Fitted with electrofishing equipment, the boat eased into the cattails along North St. Paul's Casey Lake, two University of Minnesota technicians standing at the bow with dip nets ready to scoop up stunned common carp.

In short order, they did, plopping them into a pail so that small radio tags could be inserted into the largest ones, enabling researchers to track their movements.

That outing, on a recent sunny afternoon, was just one of a half-dozen ways university scientists are researching one of the state's most vexing creatures. Brought to Minnesota in the 19th century, common carp have taken over thousands of shallow lakes and wetlands, rooting on the bottom for food and turning many of them into mud holes that no longer sustain ducks and other species.

Now, though, relief could be on the way.

Bowfishermen find night time is right time to catch carp

MINNEAPOLIS -- Amid the evening's gloom, when most Minnesota anglers were winching their boats onto trailers, Patrick Kirschbaum and Carl Sassen were just launching theirs. A specially built, wartime-looking craft, their boat is constructed for nighttime stalking in shallow water, with a high deck in front and flood lamps to three sides.

Kirschbaum, 35, and Sassen, 29, are bowfishermen, the only sure-fire defense against carp Minnesota has. Or may ever have. On a good night, while most people are asleep, they will arrow as many as 100 common carp, some weighing 40 pounds and more.

"My biggest weighed 46 1/4 pounds," Kirschbaum said.

Here's the gear you need for carp fishing

If you get into carp fishing you'll learn that while high-end gear is nice to have and can make a huge difference on hard-fished waters, we can get by with modest gear in most of North America.

* Rods: A 12-13 foot carp rod that will cast a 3-ounce sinker and 6 ounces of bait 100 yards is crucial in places like England, and rods like that cost $400 or more. In this country bank anglers rarely have to cast more than 50 yards, so an 11-12 footer that costs $50-$100 is a fine starter rod.

Advertisement
  +

Recent Comments

Latest Blogs

Blogging the Rambler
Herbert, who hates all things fed, demands more fed...
By: Charles Trentelman

Thursday, March 28, 2013 - 3:58pm

The Political Surf
Obama administration is best ally the GOP has in its...
By: Doug Gibson

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 2:51pm

Me, myself... as mommy
Time to get my post-baby butt back to the gym
By: MeganSanders

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 12:13am

Why Are You Crying?
Legislative marriage counselors
By: Mark Shenefelt

Tuesday, February 26, 2013 - 4:37pm

Standard-Examiner Sports Blogs
Weber State, Ogden City to honor “special guest” from...
By: Roy Burton

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - 12:37pm

Latest Tweets