Asian Carp becoming more noticeable in shallow waters

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It may be hard to get a boat in the water these days. But if you're on the water, you may have noticed the rivers' Asian Carp.

These dense fish are an invasive species and jump out of the water when aggravated by a boat motor, putting boaters in danger of being hit by one. They're a problem locally from the Wabash River to the Tippecanoe River.

Officers with The Department of Natural Resources said shallow water is making boaters even more at risk of an Asian Carp injury.

"[The Asian Carp] are going to get agitated easier because they're not at lower depth," DNR Conservation Officer, Kevin Price, said. "With shallower water they're going to be right there close to the boat. If a 20-pound Carp hits you going 20 miles per hour, it can easily knock you unconscious."

It's not just boaters being threatened by the Asian Carp. The fish can reproduce quickly, and the large amounts also hurt the rivers' natural ecosystems.

"They're filter feeders," Price said. "They take a lot of the micro organisms out of the water. When it does that, it takes away from the native species, like the bass, and the fish who are normally here. They don't have as much [food] and can't fend for themselves."

It's against the law to put a live Asian Carp back into the water. DNR officers say there are multiple things you can do if you come in contact with one, including eating it.

"Overseas, it's a delicacy," Price said. "There are different recipes out there for people to eat them. You can throw it away. You can dispose of it in any legal way, you just can't throw it back in the water."

DNR officers also suggest turning the Asian Carp into fishing bait. Brad Hauge is the owner of Arrows Three and Tackle Too. He said since the Asian Carp started flying out of the rivers, he has seen more fisherman take up bow fishing.

"More people will go out there because it's a very target-rich environment," Hauge said. "They're going after the Asian Carp."

DNR officers say to make sure you stay safe in the water, even from the Asian Carp, always wear a life jacket.