What about the Jumping Fish?

Posted Thursday, May 14, 2009, at 11:17 AM

Silver Asian Carp jump out of the water when they feel the vibrations from a boats motor.

One species of Asian Carp -- Silver -- is of great concern to boaters. The Silver Carp can jump several feet out of the water when a motorboat goes by. These fish can grow to three-feet in length and can weigh up to sixty pounds. These fish can jump into boats and can jump into the face of boaters, skiers, and tubers causing injury. We had not been too concerned about these jumping fish in the past, because they were in Illinois and SE Iowa Rivers -- generally well southeast of the Iowa Great Lakes.

Now Asian Carp are being found in the Missouri River along the Iowa border with Nebraska. The Bighead Carp -- a brother of the Silver variety -- have been observed below the Lynn Grove dam (32 miles south of the Iowa Great Lakes). The DNR does not expect the Silver Carp to arrive in our lakes by boat and trailer, as would Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. The jumping fish would probably arrive here by swimming up the Little Sioux River and through Mill Creek. The DNR believes the Lynn Grove dam provides some protection from this jumping fish. The DNR is investigating a fish trap to be located south of Milford to provide additional protection. For more information, check the website www.watersafetycouncil.org click on Aquatic Invasive Species.

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Phil Petersen

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Phil is a native of Spencer and spent his youthful summers exploring boating and swimming on the Okoboji Lakes. With lifelong ties to the Iowa Great Lakes, Petersen's volunteer work in water quality and water safety issues is an extension of his love for the area. An electronic technology degree from Iowa State University led Petersen to Chicago and Motorola Communications, where he spent 38 years in management and directorship positions. All the while, Peterson maintaining his connection with the lakes through summer sojourns. Petersen is a board member of the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council, Okoboji Protective Association, Friends of Lakeside Laboratories, Okoboji Yacht Club, and the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association. He is also a Fellow of the Radio Club of America. Phil and his wife live in Okoboji.

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