Family-Outdoors

SPIRIT LAKE,  Iowa  -  The electric fish barrier that will keep Asian carp from entering the Iowa Great Lakes through the Lower Gar Lake outlet is in place and operational. All that remains to be completed for the nearly $1 million project is final site restoration. Mike Hawkins, fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said if a high water threat arose, they could activate the barrier to prevent invasive fish from entering the Iowa Great Lakes from downstream. “Invasive species seem unstoppable and are negatively impacting aquatic resources across the nation. This is an example of coming together as a community to win an important battle against them,” Hawkins said. “The electric fish barrier is currently the only effective tool to prevent upstream migration in this case.” Electric barriers are superior to physical barriers because they do not obstruct water flow or collect debris. The system creates an electrical field in the water th...

The James River near Scotland, South Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks Commission met by teleconference on Monday to adopt an emergency rule governing the taking of bait in South Dakota waters. The rule change closes the East Vermillion River, West Vermillion River, and Firesteel Creek below Lake Mitchell to the commercial taking of bait and taking of bait by anglers. The change was brought to the Commission by GFP fisheries staff as another way to battle the spread of invasive aquatic nuisance species in South Dakota. Asian carp are currently present below Gavin’s Point Dam on the Missouri River and are spreading throughout the James River, Big Sioux River , and Vermillion River basins. “We understand that this action results in a loss of opportunity for people who have traditionally taken bait from the waters on the restricted list,” GFP Fisheries Chief John Lott said. “However, it would be irresponsible for Game, Fish an...

The Wisconsin DNR is doing its part in providing outdoors folks help on avoiding being an unwitting part of the spread of invasive aquatic species.  As those of us who spend time in various freshwater environments know, the spread of these species is a big problem.  Doing all we can to make sure we do not make the problem worse is the least we can do.  Here is a video with some information to help.