Last fall the lakes area was jolted awake by reports that Asian carp were found in East Okoboji and Spirit Lake. Both bighead and silver Asian carp were found, with the silver carp carrying the reputation as the "jumping fish". After several meetings with the Iowa...
Fish Barrier/Asian Carp
Asian Carp Threaten MN River
KECY TV - Mankato Giant, flying fish may soon be a potential danger in the Minnesota River. Asian Carp have been present in the Missouri River system for some time, but during the floods in 2011 they made their way to lakes and streams in southwestern Minnesota. To...
Fish Barrier Update
Courtesy Mike Hawkins, Iowa DNR As you can see the footings for the new wing walls have been poured. The insulcrete mix is still causing some workability issues, but has improved since the initial pour on the building pad. I watched on Friday as the concrete got...
Construction on the Fish Barrier has begun
By Mike Hawkins Iowa DNR Although no dirt has moved at the site of the new electric fish barrier, it doesn’t mean that things haven’t been moving forward. An engineering firm and manufacturer of electric fish barriers, Smith- Root Inc. of Vancouver Washington, was...
Nebraska law cracks down on invasive carp
One fish, two fish Asian carp fish ... no fish. It's not exactly Dr. Seuss’ original story line, but it is what can happen when an invasive species such as Asian carp enters a lake. Asian carp are voracious eaters. They deplete the food supply for native fish, said...
Fisheries biologist receives award
Mike Hawkins, fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources stationed at Spirit Lake, received the Ace Cory Conservation Award at the annual meeting of the Okoboji Protective Association (OPA) on July 28, at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. The Ace Cory...
DNR officials discuss invasive species, lake levels at Iowa Great Lakes meeting
Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) gathered this week in the Iowa Great Lakes area to meet with local leaders and discuss important issues relating to lake levels and invasive species. Attendees included DNR Director Chuck Gipp, several DNR...
USA Today covers invasive species issue
After Brian Griffin pulls his boat out of West Loon Lake, a couple of weeds dangle from his trailer and propeller. One is a nice surprise: white-stemmed pondweed, an endangered plant, says Michael Adam, senior biologist for Lake County. The other is a problem: Eurasian watermilfoil.
IPTV to air Asian Carp features
Iowa Public Television is scheduled to air two features on Asian Carp. The first segment will air on "Market To Market" this Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on Iowa Public Television. It will also be available after its initial airing at the...
Temporary Fish Barrier installation in progress
Local efforts have been instrumental in the continued fight against invasive species in the Iowa Great Lakes. This week, a temporary fish barrier is being installed at the Lower Gar Outlet to protect the area from further Asian carp infestation.
Update on the Asian Carp Situation
Mike Hawkins - DNR Fisheries Bureau Biologist - has provided the following information as an update on the Asian Carp situation: Sampling Our staff continue to aggressively sample our lakes and the Little Sioux River for Asian carp. In fact, our team, with help from...
DNR Issues update on Asian carp situation
Mike Hawkins, Fisheries Management Biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, issued an update this week on the Asian carp situation in the Iowa Great Lakes. Following are his findings: The commercial angler has been keeping our office updated on catch...