Massive Bighead Carp Record Certified in Oklahoma
Eugene L. 05.22.23
There has been a massive catch from Grand Lake in Oklahoma this week, a 118-pound 3-ounce monster of an invasive bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) was pulled out of the water by Bryan Baker. This is the first record on the books in Oklahoma for the bighead carp and they are starting off strong with this giant. The bigheads are the larger of the two species commonly known together as Asian Carp, (Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Bighead Carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). Both species of carp are originally from East Asia and are large filter-feeding surface-dwelling species. This is why they were originally introduced into the US back in the 1970s-80s, to help maintain water quality at fish farms by consuming algae and other free-floating food in the farm ponds around the Mississippi River Basin. From those original ponds either through flooding or accidental release the Asian carp have spread through Midwest, in waterways starting down south in Louisiana and going all the way up to North Dakota.
Invasive Asian Carp on Alloutdoor
- The Copi: Renaming of the Delicious, Misunderstood Asian Carp
- Silver Carp Removed from Lake Calumet
- Kill Carp, Make a Million Bucks
From the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Facebook page.
We’ve asked skilled anglers to help capture invasive bighead carp from Grand Lake, and Oklahoma anglers have answered the call! Thanks to Bryan Baker with Spoonbill Wreckers for reeling in our first bighead carp state record at a MASSIVE 118 pounds and 3 ounces!
Bighead carp consume large quantities of zooplankton, aquatic insect larvae and adults. Because of their feeding habits, bighead carp are a direct competitor with our native species like paddlefish, and bigmouth buffalo; as well as all larval and juvenile fishes and native mussels. If you catch this invasive species DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE WATER. Please report any caught bighead carp to our Porter Office at 918-683-1031 or 918-200-4815.
