‘Flying’ fish are taking over Midwest lakes and causing havoc for fishermen

It’s not a bird or a plane - it’s a “flying” fish - and the airborne invaders are causing chaos for fishermen and boaters across the Midwest.Asian carp have taken over the Mississippi River and many of its tributaries, reshaping waterways and even injuring people. By consuming massive amounts of food that native species rely on, these invasive fish throw ecosystems off balance, making life harder for both local fish and the anglers who depend on them.Originally introduced in the 1970s for aquaculture and algae control, these non-native silver and bighead carp are especially notorious in the Midwest for their jumping behavior. Startled by boat vibrations or noises, they can launch more than 10 feet into the air, according to U.S. Geological Survey researchers, sometimes colliding with unsuspecting skiers, paddlers and boaters, causing injuries. The unusual threat has prompted political action in states such as Michigan and Illinois, where lawmakers are pushing for measures to contain the carp population. Proposed solutions include building physical barriers and deploying sound devices to repel the fish from busy waterways. Yet many residents have turned to their own strategies to stay safe.Peoria firefighter Nate Wallick told the Wall Street Journal about the lengths he goes to protect his family while tubing on the Illinois River. “I took one right in the side of the head,” he said. “The fish darn near knocked me out.” Asian carp can leap up to 10 feet when startled, forcing Midwest fishermen to get creative to keep themselves and their families safe on the water (T. Lawrence, Great Lakes Fishery Commission)Wallack told the outlet that he now makes his children wear football helmets, has built a cage around their inner tube, and has equipped everyone on his boat with nets, he said. He also takes precautions for himself while water skiing, wearing a helmet and cup after a carp once struck him in the groin.Clint Carter said he was recently boating and had a carp leave a bone bruise that took weeks to heal, according to the Journal. His friend, however, took more of a punishment. “It actually hit him between the eyes, dropped him to his knees,” Carter said. Efforts to control the carp have been underway for decades, using physical barriers, electric deterrents, bubble curtains and sound repellents. Funding delays and logistical challenges, however, have left many waterways vulnerable. Communities have also embraced unconventional solutions. The Redneck Fishing Tournament in Bath, Illinois, for example, encourages participants to net jumping carp as a recreational challenge, helping to reduce numbers in targeted areas, the Journal reported. The state’s Department of Natural Resources even launched a marketing campaign to rebrand the fish as “Copi,” short for copious, to set them apart from the less desirable bottom-feeding common carp, encouraging people to eat them. Fishermen and chefs say the carp are surprisingly tasty, though their bony structure makes them difficult to serve as traditional filets. To work around that problem, chefs often grind the fish and use them to make dishes such as fish cakes, according to the outlet. Wildlife agencies also recommend cautionary measures for residents, including slowing down near ramps and docks, keeping a distance from other vessels and ensuring passengers stay seated in central areas of the boat.