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Introduced into Utah Lake in the 1880's as a food source for struggling pioneers, the common carp is native to Eurasia, but has been widely introduced into the US, including many Utah waters.
Nowadays, carp are mostly seen as an unappetizing bottom-dweller and a pest that breeds fast, stirs up lake muck and crowds out native fish.
In 2009, the DWR started what is believed to be the nation's biggest carp removal project at Utah Lake. Biologists hope to remove 3 million pounds of carp a year, as they try and save the rare and endangered June Sucker.
As they feed along the lake bottom, carp tear up vegetation that provides vital hideouts for young June suckers looking to avoid predators.
The amount of sunlight received by plants also decreases, reducing their growth -- as plants disappear, so do the waterfowl which depend upon them for food.
Carp are the only species of fish in Utah where you are allowed shoot with bow and arrow. Right now is the best time to chase the what is often called the Rocky Mountain bonefish as the carp are just starting to spawn. For more information on carp or any other critter found in Utah, be sure to check our outdoors page at KSLTV.com.
