Abundance Estimates
This is often the starting point of our analyses. To know how severe is the carp problem in your lake, we need to know how many carp are present in it. Once we know carp abundance, we can determine how many need to be removed to achieve desired improvements in water quality and aquatic vegetation. Click here to learn more.
Aging Analyses
Because carp are long-lived (often few decades) one can learn a lot about their history and what makes them successful in particular lakes by conducting ageing analyses. The main information we are looking for is how many age classes are present in the population. Click here to learn more.
Modeling
Developing carp management schemes that are sustainable in the long run requires complex modeling analyses. We use models developed specifically for carp to simulate their abundance under different management scenarios. Click here to learn more.
Radiotelemetry
Carp are very mobile. We use telemetry to monitor springtime spawning migrations and to locate sites where carp aggregate under the ice. Click here to learn more.
Trapnet Surveys
Common carp cannot successfully reproduce in all lakes. We conduct trapnet surveys to determine which lakes or marshes function as carp nurseries. Click here to learn more.
Winter Seining
This is the best method to selectively remove excessive numbers of carp from lakes. We locate aggregations of carp using radiotelemetry and work with local commercial fishermen to capture and remove the carp. Click here to learn more.
Pit Antenna Systems
One sophisticated yet simple way to track movements of carp is to use small electronic tags called PIT tags. After data analysis, we can determine how many tagged fish have passed over the antenna (typically located in a stream) and when they moved past it. Click here to learn more.
Portable electric barriers
Low-voltage electric barriers can be installed to block migrating carp and direct them into traps. Using electric barriers allows water and debris to still flow freely. Electric barriers are portable, can be modified to fit specific study sites, and are mild enough to guide fish rather than stun them. Learn more here from the Board of Water and Soil Resources and here from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
Box nets
Box nets may be used for full-scale, selective carp removal. This tool can remove hundreds of carp at a time. Check out the top video on this page to get an idea of what it looks like!
