Thread: Asian Carp

I've read for the last few weeks in the Lake Decatur fishing report that Asian carp are being caught below the dam. I don't suppose anyone has actually seen one down there have they? If that's true I sure hope they don't make it into the lake because it has a huge carp and buffalo problem as it is.

Talking to the fish biologist a few years ago he said Decatur could have an amazing crappie fishery, but you can't throw a rock into the lake without hitting a buffalo in the head. I can't imagine how much those Asian carp would hurt the fish population. I don't see how they got past Springfield dam if it's true.

ya they are in the river i have saw few people fight with them.Thankfully they used the carp as cut bait so,the ones i saw became bait.... but they are in the river

They are down there. I have buddies that go down there all the time and use a jig with a treble behind it and they snag a bunch every trip...

I thought about going down there myself and try some snagging for them. I have a musky rod that would be perfect for it.

wait till they get around 40 and dent your pontoon when they ram into them

They have taken over the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and all the backwaters as well. My son and I went after them this mourning before the storm got here. They really destroy a lake or river.

the Decatur paper said they are getting them up to 75 lbs. probably ONE close to that. if anyone has a john boat and a small outboard, I would love to go with them and watch them jump. Brackett outdoors is a guide service out of Peoria......and one more thing,,,,there is no dam on the Sangamon below Lake Decatur. you can go all the way to the Miss.

I wonder how long it will be before someone casting a net for some shad gets some young carp instead and infects the system above the dam. The shad and the carp look alot alike when the carp are young.

Originally Posted by crappie10

the Decatur paper said they are getting them up to 75 lbs. probably ONE close to that. if anyone has a john boat and a small outboard, I would love to go with them and watch them jump. Brackett outdoors is a guide service out of Peoria......and one more thing,,,,there is no dam on the Sangamon below Lake Decatur. you can go all the way to the Miss.

Make sure your well protected. The can and will injure a person. I have a chipped tooth to prove it. One about 20lbs came flying in the side of the boat while we were idling through an area that they stage big time. Glanced off the throttle and hit me in the side of the head. Almost knocked me out!!

OMG, that would hurt. I would pay 500 bucks to sit in the boat with a shotgun. but, since it's illegal, thats just what I might HAVE to pay!!