Silver Carp

Description

Silver carp (one of four carp we refer to as “Asian carp” and the notorious flying variety) are fast growing and become very large, weighing up to 60 pounds and measuring up to four feet.They migrate up streams and rivers to breed producing about 265,000-2,000,000 eggs in their lifetime.

How It Spreads

Dispersal of bighead and silver carp appears to be occurring naturally, especially during high-flow events which enable them to swim around barriers in the Mississippi River and Great Lakes region, looking for spawning habitat. In addition to spread from fish farms, people also spread carp, intentionally and unintentionally, via bait, aquaculture, and sport.

Factsheets

River Alliance of Wisconsin Factsheet (Lower Wisconsin River Basin AIS Strategic Plan)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Asian Carp Page