MDC will remove invasive carp from lower Grand River Aug. 31 through Sept. 3

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will conduct an invasive carp removal on the Grand River Aug. 31 through Sept. 3. This is part of an ongoing effort to reduce invasive carp populations in the state’s big rivers. MDC will close Brunswick Access for the duration of the project, which is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

Crews will remove the carp from the river, and a commercial fishing operation will process the fish into various products, including food for human consumption, protein additives for animal feed, and prepared fish bait for anglers.   

Efforts like this project have potential to increase available food and habitat for native fish in the Grand and Missouri rivers. Invasive carp tend to spawn in the slower-moving feeder streams, while young and mature carp congregate in the nutrient-rich waters of deep pools. Continued efforts in these areas could help remove large numbers of invasive carp. 

Non-native invasive carp reproduce prolifically and grow quickly to sizes too large for native predator fish to consume. They filter food and nutrients from the water that are important to many native fish species, including popular sport fish such as catfish, paddlefish, sturgeon, buffalo, as well as the many smaller fish species that support the river ecosystem. This removal effort will target silver, bighead, grass, and black carp. Any other fish species captured will be measured and released as part of research and monitoring of the river’s fishery. 

MDC has fish population sampling data from prior years, and biologists will sample fish populations again after the carp removal. They will monitor how native fish populations respond and how quickly invasive carp repopulate the river section.  

During the carp removal, boaters can still access the Grand River via Bosworth Access. The Missouri River will remain accessible to boaters via MDC’s Miami, Waverly, Dalton, and Glasgow fishing accesses. Bank fishing will still be allowed during the project. 

For more information on managing invasive carp, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Tr.