Captured Asian Carp Likely Didn't Swim North

August 5, 2010

Asian Carp found in Lake Calumet. (Photo courtesy of IDNR)
New research shows an invasive fish caught near Lake Michigan may have been placed there by accident. In June, Illinois officials caught an Asian carp in Lake Calumet as part of a search for the invasive fish to keep it out of the Great Lakes.

Jim Garvey studied that fish at Southern Illinois University. He says his research doesn't prove the fish has a large population near Lake Michigan.

GARVEY: If they're starting to catch smaller, younger fish, then obviously there should be a concern that there are populations that are basically sustainable up there.

Garvey says the 20-pound fish likely spent most of its six years of life near Lake Michigan, but it wasn't born there. He says it's possible the carp was used as bait years ago, then dumped in Lake Calumet.