Home / Environment / Kansas Fights Back Against Invasive Carp Invasion
Kansas Fights Back Against Invasive Carp Invasion
19 Dec
Summary
- Kansas wildlife workers have removed over 109,000 pounds of invasive carp since 2022.
- Specialized equipment, including an electrified dozer trawl, aids removal efforts.
- Federal funding of nearly $19 million supports carp removal projects in 18 states.
Kansas wildlife biologists are continuing robust efforts to combat invasive Asian carp populations within the Kansas River. Since 2022, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has successfully removed approximately 109,000 pounds of these non-native fish. The year 2025 has proven to be the most productive, with over 36,000 pounds removed to date, indicating progress in slowing the spread of these aggressive species.
New strategies and equipment are enhancing the effectiveness of these removal operations. Biologists now utilize an electrified dozer trawl, which stuns carp with electricity while a specialized net collects them, complementing traditional methods like electrofishing and gill netting. These targeted removals are yielding noticeable improvements, with KDWP biologists observing a decline in invasive carp numbers and a resurgence of native aquatic species in treated areas.
These crucial conservation efforts are receiving national support. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a substantial $19 million allocation to fund 33 projects across 18 states, including Kansas, aimed at controlling invasive carp. The KDWP is also exploring more intensive removal initiatives to further reduce carp populations and protect Kansas waterways.
