Black carp pose a serious threat to Indiana’s mussel population.
Photo by Greg Whitledge, SIU.
(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Invasive black carp are getting closer to Indiana waters.
The Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife says two black carp were captured this June in the Ohio River, about 10 miles downstream of the Indiana state line.
Black carp were brought to the U.S. from eastern Asia during the 1970-80’s.
Since then, the have escaped captivity and have been moving throughout the Mississippi River basin.
DNR officials say black carp pose a serious threat to Indiana’s mussel population considering many of the mussel species native to Indiana are already listed as species of special concern or endangered.
Ohio River anglers who encounter black carp should keep the fish and make note of its location, cool the fish on ice once its been killed and contact the DRN at 1-866-663-9684.
Anyone who catches a black carp may be eligible for a $100 bounty per carcass.
For more information, visit dnr.IN.gov.