Texas will pay you $100 for catching this invasive fish as officials warn anglers to ‘Keep, Cool, Call’

Texas is offering anglers $100 for every invasive black carp they catch and submit as part of a multi-state programme aimed at learning more about the species and tracking its spread through the Mississippi River basin.

The bounty is part of a research effort led by the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC). Participating fishers can receive $100 per black carp, with up to 10 reimbursements available each month.

The unusual programme is not simply about removing fish from waterways. Scientists are looking for specimens because relatively little is known about black carp in North America, including their distribution, growth, reproduction, movements and feeding habits.


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Why black carp are raising concerns

Black carp are bottom-dwelling fish that feed primarily on freshwater mussels and snails. That diet is a major reason scientists are concerned about their potential spread.

The ICRCC identifies freshwater mussels as the most imperilled group of animals in North America. Understanding where black carp are present and what they are eating can therefore help fisheries managers assess potential risks to native aquatic species.

Texas already classifies black carp as an exotic aquatic species that is harmful or potentially harmful.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lists black carp, which belong to the genus Mylopharyngodon, among prohibited exotic aquatic species.

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Black carp have been found in eight states

Black carp have been captured in waters involving eight states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

Reported captures have occurred primarily in portions of the lower Mississippi River, Illinois River and Ohio River.

Texas has not been listed among the states where captures have been recorded under the programme. However, the species' presence in neighbouring portions of the Mississippi River basin has made monitoring and early detection important.

Texas is among 27 state agencies participating in the bounty programme.

The programme covers the Mississippi River basin and its sub-basins, allowing researchers to gather information across a large interconnected network of waterways.

What scientists want to learn

Researchers are using submitted black carp to build a clearer picture of the species in North America.

The information being collected includes:

• Age and growth
• Distribution
• Abundance
• Diet
• Reproduction
• Habitat use
• Movement patterns

Because black carp spend much of their time near the riverbed, detecting them can be difficult. That makes reports from anglers particularly valuable to fisheries officials.

Fishers are being told to ‘Keep, Cool, Call’

Anyone who believes they have caught a black carp is being urged to follow the “Keep, Cool, Call” procedure.

First, keep the fish rather than releasing it. Anglers should record the location where it was caught and take photographs of the fish, particularly its head, mouth and total length.

They should also record details about the fishing gear and bait used.

If possible, information about the surrounding habitat can also help, including water depth, temperature, flow and the type of riverbed or substrate.

The fish should then be humanely killed and kept cold on ice or in a freezer.

Anglers should contact their state fisheries agency immediately and provide photographs, contact information, the capture location and details about the fishing conditions.

Black carp can be confused with other fish

Correct identification is important because several native and non-native fish can look similar to black carp.

Black carp generally have a long, narrow head, dark colouring ranging from black to blue-grey and a nearly straight lateral line, with a slight curve through the body.

Other species that can potentially be mistaken for black carp include grass carp, common carp, blue suckers and buffalo species.

That is why officials recommend using identification guidance before reporting a suspected black carp.

Why Texas anglers should pay attention

The $100 bounty is ultimately about early detection.

Texas is not currently among the states where black carp captures have been recorded under the programme, but its waterways are connected to a much larger river system where the invasive fish has already been documented.

For researchers, every confirmed specimen can provide another piece of information about where black carp are moving and how they are adapting.

For anglers, that means a fish that might initially look like an unusual catch could be important to fisheries research — and potentially worth $100.

The key message from officials is simple: if you think you've caught a black carp, keep it, keep it cold and call the appropriate state fisheries agency immediately.