An invasive carp species was caught during a guided fishing trip over the weekend in far northeastern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said five invasive bighead carp were caught from the Elk River.
According to officials, the carp are considered filter feeders and can consume up to 40 percent of their body weight in plankton each day, directly competing with native species. The guide service turned the carp over to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for research.
Anyone who catches a bighead, silver, grass, or black carp in Oklahoma waters can report it to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s invasive carp biologist at 580-596-8025. The information helps officials better understand the distribution, abundance, and population dynamics of this invasive species, guiding management efforts to slow their spread and protect Oklahoma’s fisheries.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
