species information

Invasive Carp: Silver and Bighead Carp

Silver and Bighead Carp can dramatically alter the food web in aquatic ecosystems.

They are planktivores that directly compete for food with forage fish and young game fish. Additionally, Silver Carp pose a physical threat to boaters since they have the ability to leap up to ten feet from the water when startled.

Each female is capable of producing over two million eggs per spawn, with multiple spawning events in a year.

Both species can be found in the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam, the James River, the Vermillion River (below East Vermillion Spillway) and the Big Sioux River downstream of Falls Park in Sioux Falls.

Conservation Digest Articles

• Aquatic Invasive Species: What is it and how can you help?
• Every Water, Every Time
• Carp: From Nuisance to Delicious
• The Original Aquatic Invader
• Past, Present and Future of Commercial Fishing in South Dakota

Images

More images all of Invasive Carp species (Bighead, Silver, and Grass) can be found in the Media Gallery.

Videos

South Dakota's Flying Fish Invasion and Carp Cleaning Tutorial

Lake Yankton Renovation, below Gavins Point Dam,