Should you get grass carp for your pond?
Why, then, do not a few but all of our competitors, and beyond that most private lake and pond consultants throughout the U.S., continue to recommend grass carp to every new client they meet? Because grass carp are easy.
How to purchase grass carp?
Triploid grass carp may only be purchased from approved suppliers possessing a valid permit to import and sell triploid grass carp in New York State. At the time of purchase, the permit holder must provide all three copies of the stocking permit to the selected approved triploid grass carp supplier.
Where to purchase grass carp?
Congratulations to Cris Endicott of Meridian for setting a new certified state record for grass carp. Endicott caught the monster carp on Oct. 10 using a twin-tail bass jig while prospecting the Snake River for smallmouth. The fish weighed 46.7 pounds ...
How to catch grass carp?
Some of the best spots to find grass carps in Florida are:
- – Lake Kissimmee
- – Everglades National Park
- – Coot Bay Pond
See more
Will grass carp clean my pond?
If stocked at high enough density, these guys will eat plants faster than the greenery can grow. Many pond owners have witnessed grass carp work wonders, taking choked-out ponds and cleaning them up, restoring beautiful waterways.
What do grass carp do for a pond?
Grass Carp Control The Growth Of Both Algae And Aquatic Weed Any seasoned natural pond owner will be familiar with both algae and aquatic weed. Algae are a greenish growth resulting from excessive sunlight that if left unchecked will turn your pond into a mini swamp.
Can you have too many grass carp in a pond?
Adding too many grass carp can be a problem. They are very difficult to remove, especially in larger ponds that cannot be drained down. After they reach about 18-24 inches, they get lazy. If you are feeding your pond with fish food pellets, the grass carp swoop in and open their mouths like big vacuum cleaners.
Does grass carp eat other fish?
Here is a quote from their publication, “Using Grass Carp in Aquaculture and Private Impoundments”: “Fingerling grass carp will consume insect larvae, other invertebrates, and even small numbers of fish fry, but only when desirable vegetation is unavailable.” Andrew Zetts of the Zetts Fish Hatchery in Drifting, ...
Will carp ruin a pond?
Grass carp can not reproduce in ponds but they can reproduce in some rivers. Grass carp can damage or destroy native wildlife and fish habitats by removing aquatic plants and indirectly causing increased water turbidity.
What fish will clean my pond?
Fish that clean ponds by eating algae and other debris include the common pleco, the mosquitofish, the Siamese algae eater and the grass carp. Be careful with carp, koi and other bottom feeders. While they eat algae, they can also make your pond look dirty.
Do grass carp eat algae in a pond?
Grass carp will eat algae if preferred plants are not available, but this is not a recommended control strategy. More details on grass carp are available in Pond Facts #10: Using Grass Carp to Control Aquatic Plants . Water additives are also sold to reduce algae growth.
What eats grass carp in a pond?
They are not without predators as largemouth bass, otters, birds, etc. readily prey on small grass carp. Stocked fish should be at least 12 inches long to help avoid predation and provide plant control.
How many grass carps are needed for a 3 acre pond?
2 fish per acre for slight plant infestations (< 30% plant coverage of pond during the peak growing season-primarily August through September) 5 fish per acre for moderate plant infestations (30 – 60% plant coverage of pond during the peak growing season-primarily August through September)
Do grass carp muddy the water?
This misunderstood fish, according to fisheries biologist really shares little of the traits that its carp namesake has. The grass carp does not muddy the waters of ponds or lakes in its efforts to eat plant materials; like its cousin the European carp.
Do grass carp eat pond moss?
Grass carp won't eat filamentous algae, which is what pond moss really is. The best product is cutrine + (sold at Southern States at approx. $22/gallon). Copper sulfate works basically the same way, but is potentially toxic if overused, especially at higher ph levels.
How do you introduce grass carp to pond?
1:509:06Stocking 4 Ponds with Grass Carp! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is the new pond new little pond where we stocked a hybrid bluegill. It's the reason we're doingMoreThis is the new pond new little pond where we stocked a hybrid bluegill. It's the reason we're doing this is it has a lot of small stuff growing on it and we're hoping the grass carp will clean it.
What is grass carp?
The Grass Carp is a somewhat misunderstood fish that has a lot of misinformation attached to it. Even the name, Grass Carp, to pond keepers will conjure up images of fish that look like koi or common carp but the physical similarities are few. The Grass Carp has a sleek elongated body with silver/white/gray coloration, a broad head, ...
How long do grass carp live?
The sterilized form of the grass carp is a triploid carp, fertile grass carp are diploid carp. These fish live about 10 years but can live much longer under the ideal conditions. During winter months the Grass Carp goes through a period of dormancy.
How many grass carp per acre?
When introducing Grass Carp you may only be allowed to stock a few and these guidelines will depend on your state’s regulations. About 10 grass carp per acre is a good starting stock level. Once stocked in a pond they are not easy to get out.
How big do grass carp get?
With enough food supply the grass carp can get to be a pretty good size. In the first 2 years they can grow incredibly fast, up to 2 inches per month, and weigh up to 20 pounds. Average adult weight is about 40 pounds at 4 feet length, but some full grown grass carp have weighed in at 100 pounds!
Why is grass carp outlawed?
In modern times this quick growing, great tasting, fun sport fish is outlawed in much of the U.S. because of environmental impact misinformation regarding this fish. Grass Carp were introduced to the United States in 1963, and today is considered an invasive species.
Can you keep grass carp in a pond?
A basic requirement for most ponds that want to stock these fish is that the ponds are large enough, and do not have any areas that can allow for escape of these fish into other bodies of water. If you have an inline pond that the fish can easily escape from you will not likely be permitted to keep the Grass Carp.
Do grass carp muddy the water?
The grass carp does not muddy the waters of ponds or lakes in its efforts to eat plant materials; like its cousin the European carp. The grass carp actually tends to “mow” plants, eating them from the top down because of the way its mouth is placed.
How to control grass carp?
There are several cases in which grass carp are generally not recommended: 1 Sport fishing ponds with less than 25% weed coverage. Spot herbicide treatments can be used instead to open up some areas for shore fishing. 2 Ponds with tough weeds, such as cattails, bullrushes, and lilies. These generally cannot be controlled by grass carp, which lack the teeth needed to consume them. 3 Ponds managed as resting and feeding places for ducks. Grass carp will eliminate plants favored by ducks for food. 4 Any situation where grass carp could escape and enter public waters. This includes any pond that overflows unless spillway barriers are installed. See the section on spillway barriers that follows.
How many grass carp per acre?
Generally, pond weeds are totally eliminated when 10 to 12 grass carp are stocked per surface acre. This is not recommended in sport fishing ponds, since some weeds are desirable as a refuge for forage fish from bass. Good results in sport fishing ponds have been obtained when grass carp are stocked at a rate of 10 per vegetated acre.
Can you use grass carp with herbicides?
This publication is designed to guide you as you consider the use of grass carp in your situation. Grass carp may be used along with other weed control measures, such as herbicides or by themselves. Many people stock grass carp for long term control while using spot herbicide treatments to achieve an immediate effect.
Can grass carp be controlled?
These generally cannot be controlled by grass carp, which lack the teeth needed to consume them. Ponds managed as resting and feeding places for ducks. Grass carp will eliminate plants favored by ducks for food. Any situation where grass carp could escape and enter public waters.
Do grass carp bite live bait?
While they only occasionally bite live or artificial bait, they put up quite a fight when hooked. Their initial cost is higher than a herbicide application, but they generally are cheaper in the long run. This publication is designed to guide you as you consider the use of grass carp in your situation.
Is there a law in Oklahoma that requires sterile grass carp?
Oklahoma law requires use of sterile grass carp. A list of grass carp suppliers is available in OSU Current Report CR-9205, “Fingerlings for Pond Stocking.”. After stocking, it will be some time before you see any major effects.
Can grass carp be caught in a pond?
There are several cases in which grass carp are generally not recommended: Sport fishing ponds with less than 25% weed coverage. Spot herbicide treatments can be used instead to open up some areas for shore fishing. Ponds with tough weeds, such as cattails, bullrushes, and lilies.
Is grass carp allowed in Florida?
In Florida, Grass Carp are permitted and controlled by the FWC. At the end of the day, the FWC Biologist who issues your permit has the final say in how many fish will be permitted. It is important to have a discussion with the FWC Biologist and your lake management provider so that the appropriate stocking rate can be approved.
Do grass carp eat algae?
One of the most common misconceptions is that grass carp are an effective filamentous algae control. Believe it or not, the grass carp can be picky eaters with a preferred diet. While grass carp may occasionally eat filamentous algae, its often only as a last resort.
Do grass carp eat submersed vegetation?
This can have a detrimental effect on the use of the waterway as a fishery, as the grass carp will eat the submersed vegetation necessary for a healthy fishery. Additionally, waterfowl forage on and in the submersed vegetation, so fewer waterfowl will be attracted to a pond with less submersed vegetation. Given this, if a recreational pond owner ...
