Thread: Asaian Carp

Originally Posted by M R Dux

I've asked the question; Who decides what will be done about all the man-made structure that will be destroyed using this process? Both of those bays are full of brushpiles and stakebeds. Will F&W replace those ? Won't those structures interfere with the Unified Method nets? Will somebody go in and "bulldoze" the area to be netted before the actual process?

Nobody supports getting rid of the Asian carp more than I do and I'll be helping Matt with the Carp Aid any way I can. I just think the consequences of new methods need to be addressed. To be effective, those nets must cover the water column from the bottom to the surface. Having lived thru the devastation to main lake areas done by mussel shell brailers in the 80s, I think there needs to be some thought put into the entire process. The crappie fishing we still have is a direct result of the efforts of us who have put structure in the lakes for the last 30 years.

News article on Unified Method to happen in February: Planning a Kentucky Lake carp harvest | Bassmaster

I asked this question on the War on Carp page: "Have they picked which bay yet on KY Lake? Last I heard it was going to be Smith Bay. Any word yet on whether all the crappie beds will be wiped out during the process?"




Wade White (Lyon Co. Judge Executive) responded: "not sure yet but they dont sweep the bottom with nets. They push them then put a net down So no beds will be wiped out unless they accidentally snag into a limb."




I think this is great news because a lot of people, myself included, were concerned about the nets snagging the crappie beds and ending up being torn out in the process.



The way the article reads, it sounds like they coral them into a big net, and then vacuum them out: "As the carp are driven toward shore by sound and electricity, they will be funneled into channels constructed by placement of block nets. And once trapped, they will be netted or pumped out, employing equipment typically used for commercial salmon harvest. Brooks is hoping for harvest daily during the project that could extend for up to two weeks across more than 200 acres."

I'm hopeful this weekend at the free West KY Boat and Outdoor Show in Murray that Adam Martin or Jessica Morris will release more details about the big harvest event.

Saturday, January 11th
11:00 a.m. – Asian Carp Update: What is KDFWR Doing?
Presented by Jessica Morris

Sunday, January 12th
2:00 p.m. – What Happened to the Bass at Kentucky Lake?
Presented by Adam Martin

After reading the article it seems like a great way to continue efforts against the Asian carp. Seems to me though it would need to be repeated at different locations to have the greatest effect. And then I assume we pray for poor spawning in the lakes and that the barrier system prevents further entry from the downstream river?


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Originally Posted by artcarney_agr

News article on Unified Method to happen in February: Planning a Kentucky Lake carp harvest | Bassmaster

I asked this question on the War on Carp page: "Have they picked which bay yet on KY Lake? Last I heard it was going to be Smith Bay. Any word yet on whether all the crappie beds will be wiped out during the process?"




Wade White (Lyon Co. Judge Executive) responded: "not sure yet but they dont sweep the bottom with nets. They push them then put a net down So no beds will be wiped out unless they accidentally snag into a limb."




I think this is great news because a lot of people, myself included, were concerned about the nets snagging the crappie beds and ending up being torn out in the process.



The way the article reads, it sounds like they coral them into a big net, and then vacuum them out: "As the carp are driven toward shore by sound and electricity, they will be funneled into channels constructed by placement of block nets. And once trapped, they will be netted or pumped out, employing equipment typically used for commercial salmon harvest. Brooks is hoping for harvest daily during the project that could extend for up to two weeks across more than 200 acres."

Correct. There should be very little damage to the unmarked brushpiles or stake beds put out by anglers. The area in the very back of the bays by the ramps will be seined to remove the concentrated carp, but typically there isnt much habitat out there because very few people put out attractors where others can clearly see them. The rest of the bay will be crisscrossed with nets running perpendicular to the bank. They will not be dragged along the bottom, but I am positive we will drop a few on top of beds by accident. (as one of the designated "net pullers" I can assure that I have no desire to snag into a big pile of stake buckets.) Additionally, both of those bays will be seeing a lot more shoreline cover added this spring to encourage fish spawning.

hope this helps,

Originally Posted by GREENFISH

After reading the article it seems like a great way to continue efforts against the Asian carp. Seems to me though it would need to be repeated at different locations to have the greatest effect. And then I assume we pray for poor spawning in the lakes and that the barrier system prevents further entry from the downstream river?

I believe that is the plan if they have enough time. I believe Smith Bay was one of the bays they are wanting to do, as well as Demumbers on Barkley if they have enough time.

And yes, if the barrier works and keeps them below the dam, it's believed a lot of headway can be made by fishing out the remaining ones above the dam in the lake. Asian Carp need enough current available to keep their eggs high enough in the water column to hatch, if they sink down too deep, the eggs die. I believe KDFWR said 2015 was the last time we had a successful spawn above KY Dam.

Originally Posted by Amartinbio

Correct. There should be very little damage to the unmarked brushpiles or stake beds put out by anglers. The area in the very back of the bays by the ramps will be seined to remove the concentrated carp, but typically there isnt much habitat out there because very few people put out attractors where others can clearly see them. The rest of the bay will be crisscrossed with nets running perpendicular to the bank. They will not be dragged along the bottom, but I am positive we will drop a few on top of beds by accident. (as one of the designated "net pullers" I can assure that I have no desire to snag into a big pile of stake buckets.) Additionally, both of those bays will be seeing a lot more shoreline cover added this spring to encourage fish spawning.

hope this helps,

Thank you for the info! I know the article says the public is not welcome on the water in these areas due to disturbance from boat engines, but will the public be allowed to view from shore? It would be pretty neat to drive to the ramp in LBL where this is happening to watch all the activity as the fish are brought to shore.

Originally Posted by artcarney_agr

Thank you for the info! I know the article says the public is not welcome on the water in these areas due to disturbance from boat engines, but will the public be allowed to view from shore? It would be pretty neat to drive to the ramp in LBL where this is happening to watch all the activity as the fish are brought to shore.

I'm not entirely sure whether that would be allowed or not. Boating will for sure not be allowed, but we will be making a few more media announcements before the event which should let everyone know all of the details (some of which are still being worked out). It will be a interesting experience for everyone since this method has never been attempted at this scale in our country.