Asian Carp a concern in river systems
If anyone knows the potential for disaster on Kentucky Lake due to Asian carp it is Tommy Akin and Jim Perry. The long-time friends have spent a life time fishing on the lake.
It’s their love of Kentucky Lake that will draw them to Paris, Tenn., on May 24 when the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency holds a public meeting to discuss concerns about Asian carp. The TWRA calls Asian carp “unwelcome inhabitants” of the Tennessee and Cumberland River systems.
Here’s what Akin, who lives in Greenfield and is a former TWRA commissioner, had to say about Asian carp, aka silver carp, and other problems he believes have slowed fishing on the Kentucky Lake:
“I think there is a big problem with the carp on Kentucky Lake and probably that is not the only problem it has. I think we have had bad spawns for both bass and crappie and that is showing up now with low catches and not many short fish. Personally, I don't think much can be done to stop the carp. They have already infested the lake with no telling how many there now and thousand more come in every time the gates are open. I hope someone can come up with something. “
Akin calls the influx on Kentucky Lake “very sad.”
So does Perry, retired director of the Northwest Tennessee Tourism.
“We definitely have a problem on Kentucky and Barkley lakes with Asian carp and everyone else that has a waterway that is connected to the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers,” Perry said. “I hope we can control them (Asian and also known as silver carp and/or big head carp). I hope we can control them with nets (and) with a lot of people fishing for them, but I’m not convinced we can . . . but I hope I am wrong.”
Eradication is a word Perry and Akin have heard often as related to Asian carp.
“Everyone is screaming eradication, but that isn’t so easy according to some people I have talked to outside the TWRA,” Perry said. “I hope the TWRA will address eradication at the meeting on May 24.”
The meeting, which is open to the public, is set to being at 6:30 p.m. in the Enoch Building located within the Henry County Fairgrounds at 517 Royal Oaks Drive in Paris during which the TWRA will present an update on Asian carp and the agency’s involvement in control strategies, along with other local sport fisheries.
And that’s good news for Steve McCadams and Mark Menendez.
McCadams, who lives in Paris, is the dean of West Tennessee fishing/waterfowl hunting guides on Kentucky Lake. He said, “(There are) lots of concern about carp and just how much they import sport fishery and shad populations is still unknown . . . although most anglers feel Asian carp are detrimental. Some feel very strongly they hurt crappie fishing, too.”
Menendez lives 22 miles from Kentucky Lake in Paducah, Ky., and has fished the lake for most of his life. He recently placed 12th in the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Kentucky Lake with more than 56 pounds. However, he said he only had 32 bites during the tournament and in practice.
“This (the carp invasion) is about as serious as it gets,” Menendez said. “It has all of us scared to death. We’re not just scared of what is going to happen in our lifetime but in lifetimes to come. I’ll be fishing the day of the meeting in Texas, but I hope to drive back and get there in time for the meeting.”
Frank Fess, TWRA fisheries chief who will be accompanied at the meeting by long-time TWRA fisheries biologist and manager Tim Broadbent, said, “There are four species of non-native Asian carp that have populated Tennessee’s waterways. We will present updates of our current research efforts and control measures.”
Garry Mason of Springville, Tenn., who coaches Bethel University’s highly successful bass fishing team in McKenzie, Tennessee, expects a big crowd at the meeting due to the interest in what is happening with Asian carp in Tennessee. Mason is also executive director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism, the position formerly held by Perry.
“My hope is that a lot of eyes have been opened to the problem and all of the agencies, including the TWRA, will help to find ways to estimate numbers this species of fish in our waterways before they have the chance to destroy the ecosystem of the Tennessee River chain of lakes,” said Mason, who followed Perry as director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism.
Perry agrees. “I have attended a lot of meetings regarding the Asian carp in the past 12 years,” he said. “One thing that both Kentucky and Tennessee fisheries say is they need the public to contact their state and U.S. representatives and let them hear their concerns about Asian carp. A lot of revenue is at stake if we can’t solve the Asian carp invasion. Some people think it’s too little too late, but I’m not giving up yet.”
And don’t think Asian carp is just a problem in big streams and rivers.
Noted Mid-South angler Ron Wong, who lives on Robco Lake in southwest Memphis, caught an Asian carp, both the big head and silver species, in his lake during the big flood on the Mississippi River six years ago. The Mississippi River flowed into Robco Lake during the flood of six years ago via Horn Lake creek and North Lake.
“They have had several spawns since that time and have taken over the lake,” Wong said. “Where one was able to fill baskets of bream and crappie, a good day is now catching 15 or 20.” Around the outdoors horn: SAFE BOATING – America’s Boating Club – Memphis (aka the Memphis Sail and Power Squadron) will host a “Ready, Set, Wear It Life Jacket” event on Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. adjacent to Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms. The club will be joining participants around the world to heighten awareness of different types of life jackets through the Safe Boating Campaign. The world-wide record is 10,917 set in 2015. Participants are urged to bring a life jacket and join in on the fun. More information about the event can be found at readysetwearit.com.
BIRD DAY – May is America Wetlands month and as duck nesting season gets underway across North America, Memphis-based Ducks Unlimited and the rest of the world celebrated World Migratory Bird Day on May 12. The program, according to DU CCO Nick Wiley is dedicated to international conservation efforts and environmental education throughout the world.
FISHING RODEO – Agricenter International’s annual Junior Fishing Rodeo will be Saturday at Catch’em Lake off Walnut Grove and Farm Road. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with fishing from 7:30-9 a.m. and measuring and prizes from 9-10 a.m. Ages are 5-13. There is a $10 donation per youth.
Got an item or note? E-mail Larry Rea at lroutdoors@att.net or go to his web site at lroutdoors.com; listen to Larry Rea on Outdoors with Larry Rea on Saturday mornings from 6-7:30 on ESPN 790-AM and 1520-AM and 95.3 in Brownsville, Tenn., and 6:30-8 on News/Talk 101.5 in Jackson, Tenn.