Bighead carp on most-wanted list

A release this week from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adds the bighead carp to species banned under the Lacey Act as injurious wildlife.

An injurious wildlife listing means it is illegal to import or to transport live bighead carp, including viable eggs or hybrids of the species, across state lines, except by permit for zoological, education, medical, or scientific purposes.

The bighead, and its equally unwelcome relative the silver carp, have migrated up the Mississippi River toward the Great Lakes. They’re viewed as unwelcome guests who have demonstrated the ability to quickly start crowding out native fish.

Closure inspection:

Nearly 16 percent of U.S. anglers found one of their fishing spots closed to private use last year, and of that group, the single leading reason cited for closure was that the area was posted as “no trespassing.”

The findings were part of a monthly survey of recreational fisherman conducted by AnglerSurvey.com.

Just over 32 percent of survey respondents said the water they fished or the land they used to access a body of water had been posted, preventing them from fishing that location.

The second-most cited reason for closure, at 23.8 percent, was that the government no longer allowed fishing at the location. Development of the area (15.7 percent) and pollution 7.2 percent were also important reasons for closure.

An assortment of lesser or “other” reasons added up to 32.8 percent of the total.

Respondents could provide more than one answer to the question, as some anglers may have lost access to more than one fishing location last year.

Fishing report:

Fox Chain: Bluegill and crappie action is just starting in a major way on Channel Lake. Walleyes seem to be holding now in shallow areas of Petite and Channel Lake.

Fox River: Action is very slow for smallmouth, but some catfish have been going after minnows worked on the bottom of slack-water areas.

Lake Michigan: The spring coho action is very good, especially on the far south end, south of 95th Street and near Gary.

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Ÿ Mike can be reached via e-mail at angler88@comcast.net, and his outdoors radio program is heard 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.