Asian Carp Fact Sheet

ASIAN CARP Why we want to keep them out of the Great Lakes BIGHEAD CARP First imported into the United States in the 1960’s and Bighead carp can weigh up to 90 lbs and 1970’s for use in southern reach 5 feet in length. They consume up aquaculture facilities, bighead to 40% of their body weight daily, eating and silver carp escaped during the food supply which native and sport flooding, swam north and have fish species depend on. wrecked the fisheries of the GLFC Mississippi River where they have taken over. SILVER CARP As filter feeders, they consume the base of the aquatic food chain, starving out and Silver carp can weigh up to 60 lbs and outcompeting native fish reach 3 feet in length. They will jump out species. Additionally, silver of the water as high as 5 feet when carp become a safety hazard disturbed by boat motors, risking injury to boaters and anglers on to recreational boaters and anglers. waters they inhabit, leapingfive feet out of the air and weighing T. Lawrence, GLFC up to sixty pounds.

GRASS CARP Recent studies have predicted that they could thrive in Lake Michigan and Lake Erie if they become established, where they could spread to Grass carp can weigh over 80 lbs and connected inland rivers and top 5 feet in length. They can eat lakes, jeopardizing the Great 20-100% of their body weight daily Lakes $7 billion annual in aquatic vegetation, impacting aquatic sport-fishing economy and the and wetland habitat for native species. freshwater ecosystems of the Great Lakes region. Ohio DNR

Sources: Michigan DNR, Ohio DNR