Johnsfolly

As much as I would love to tangle with a 100+lb fish, this is not the one that I would want to see on the line. Unfortunately this fish may be the tip of the iceberg and other giant invasives could be swimming in the Osage an other MO rivers . Osage County angler catches 112-pound invasive black carp Black carp is one of the few fish species listed on Missouri’s Prohibited Species list. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Osage County man got a surprise last week after catching a 112-pound invasive black carp from the Osage River. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has listed black carp on the Prohibited Species List – a list of species that may not be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed alive in Missouri without written approval of the director. Jesse Hughes of Bonnots Mill was originally catfishing with friends March 4 when he hooked into the fish. “We hooked into it and knew it was something big, but I originally thought it was a catfish,” Hughes recalled. “It was the first I’d heard of a black carp. I didn’t know anything about it, so this has been quite the learning experience.” According to MDC, black carp are an invasive fish from Asia that eat mussels and snails. The fish damage populations of native mollusks, many of which are critically endangered. There is a strong possibility the species is becoming established, with breeding populations, on our continent. Black carp have been found in the Mississippi River system, including the Osage River, where in 1994 about 30 reportedly escaped from a fish farm during a high-water event and entered that river. Most of the black carp in the United States were introduced to control problematic snail populations in commercial fisheries, and these individuals are presumably sterile. Yet fertile individuals can be present, too. Given that black carp can live for 15 years, even the sterile individuals can present a serious long-term problem for native mollusk populations. “If anglers happen to catch black carp, or any invasive fish, while fishing in Missouri waters, it’s imperative to contact their local conservation agent,” explained MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “That way, our Fisheries staff can be notified and monitor the spread of these destructive species.” The black carp caught by Hughes is currently being studied by the United States Geological Survey. “It’s a little disappointing, as I don’t think I’ll ever catch a fish that big again,” joked Hughes. “But at least it’s one less invasive fish in Missouri waters.” Black carp appear similar to the common grass carp, but the black carp is darker, though not truly black, and some report the adult black carp have a relatively narrower snout. It also has large pharyngeal teeth, or throat teeth, that resemble human molars. These teeth are used to crush the shells of mollusk and prey. For more information on black carp, visit the MDC website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZRa. To learn more about invasive species, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZeV. MDC confirms Jesse Hughes of Bonnots Mill caught an invasive black carp in Osage County March 4. Hughes was catfishing when he reeled in the 112-pound fish from the Osage River upstream of the Bonnots Mill Access. Find this and other MDC media releases in our MDC online Newsroom.

I have seen quite a few papers where common drugs like Prozac were found not only in the water but also in the fish tissues. Concerns were raised that bluegill and other sunfish would less aggressively defend nesting sites due to pharmaceuticals inhibiting those responses. Lots of talk about atrazine as an endocrine active or disruptive compound that causes intersex (i.e., both oocysts and testicular tissues within the gonads of many fish species. Atrazine concentrations are way, way, way, below the concentrations of estrogens released into the environment due to birth control and hormone replacement therapies.

I have seen juvenile eels climbing up waterfalls to get into new water. Would give you the creeps if you didn't like seeing hundreds of squirming slimy fish clinging to and climbing the damp or wet rocks.

Livie 10) Hickory shad, Alosa mediocris. changed the photos.

I thought our GS were big but those are giants Dave! They've been eating well.

That's a great looking fish! I haven't seen one with that dark dorsal coloration. May answer@Quillback question about subspecies. If you head North and catch the orangethroat darter in MO or Plateau darter near or in KS. I will count them all since all are recognized subspecies.

@Ham Jealous of those cool darters. Did catch my PB American shad this morning with this doe. Close to 3.5 lbs. Still have to measure the mark on my rod. Did land what I thought was a hickory, but couldn't get a photo so counting it as an American. Did get the stink (with shad most things get a stink on them ) on Livie's rod by landing one out of three hookups.

Non-native brook trout are even better. Out west folks should keep and eat as many as the law allows

Sounds like a great trip. Congrats!

Congrats on a couple dinner walleye @Quillback! Did you catch them trolling or casting?

10) American (white) shad, Alosa sapidissima. Caught only three this morning.

Livie 9) White Catfish, Ameiurus catus

9) Eastern Mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki

Livie 8 ) White Perch, Morone americana caught in Northeast Creek near Cary NC

8 ) White Perch, Morone americana caught in Northeast Creek near Cary NC

Sounds like great memories @rps. Thanks for adding some perspective as well. About those UK guys many places you have to pay for a spot just to soak those maggots. You often don't have the ability to move to a better location if there are few fish in your spot. Even worse when you try river fishing.

I have to look but I don't think that the Airstream have the exposed threading on the handle behind the reel. That just looks uncomfortable to me. I wouldn't mind spending the money if it is a good rod but if it's not comfortable to fish then I'm out.

Ouch on getting yourself stuck. Nice bass catching!

I've done well with copper johns.

I agree but this was a stocker. With the waters out here you take what you can get. Was good with the crabmeat stuffing. The blackfish filets were a whole lot better.

Congrats! Looks like fun tangling with those beasts.

I think my last three cooking posts with fish were all baked. Even a trout😏

Congrats on some very nice browns!

I'll go for the chubs before any shad 🙄. Lots of fun to catch but a bit stinky. Maybe some day.