Bighead Carp

Body Type & Identification: A very large Asian carp — one of the "invasive carp" species of major concern in the US. Distinctive enormous head comprising about one-quarter of the body length. Gray-silver with irregular dark splotches. A filter feeder that consumes zooplankton and phytoplankton — directly competes with native filter feeders and juvenile sport fish. Can exceed 100 lbs.

Preferred Water Temperature: 68°F–82°F. A warm-water species introduced to the US for aquaculture and sewage pond management. Escaped and spread throughout the Mississippi River system. A significant ecological threat to native river ecosystems.

Habitat: Now established throughout the Mississippi and Illinois River systems and expanding range. Found in large, slow-moving rivers and reservoirs. A serious ecological concern — populations are growing rapidly in the Mississippi River basin. Commercial harvest and bowfishing are encouraged to reduce populations.

Best Lures: Cannot be caught on traditional lures — a filter feeder. Snagging and bowfishing are effective harvest methods where legal.

Best Baits: Filter feeders cannot be effectively caught on traditional baits. Snagging (where legal), electrofishing nets (commercial), and bowfishing are the primary harvest methods. Bowfishing for Bighead Carp is a growing sport in Midwest rivers — they frequently leap from the water when disturbed by boat motors.

Top 5 Destinations: Illinois River IL, Mississippi River (upper), Missouri River, Ohio River, Wabash River IN/IL — bowfishing for invasive carp is growing rapidly as a management tool.

A very large Asian carp — one of the "invasive carp" species of major concern in the US. Distinctive enormous head comprising about one-quarter of the body length. Gray-silver with irregular dark splotches. A filter feeder that consumes zooplankton and phytoplankton — directly competes with native filter feeders and juvenile sport fish. Can exceed 100 lbs.

Now established throughout the Mississippi and Illinois River systems and expanding range. Found in large, slow-moving rivers and reservoirs. A serious ecological concern — populations are growing rapidly in the Mississippi River basin. Commercial harvest and bowfishing are encouraged to reduce populations.

68°F–82°F. A warm-water species introduced to the US for aquaculture and sewage pond management. Escaped and spread throughout the Mississippi River system. A significant ecological threat to native river ecosystems.

Best Lures: Cannot be caught on traditional lures — a filter feeder. Snagging and bowfishing are effective harvest methods where legal. Best Baits: Filter feeders cannot be effectively caught on traditional baits. Snagging (where legal), electrofishing nets (commercial), and bowfishing are the primary harvest methods. Bowfishing for Bighead Carp is a growing sport in Midwest rivers — they frequently leap from the water when disturbed by boat motors.

Illinois River IL, Mississippi River (upper), Missouri River, Ohio River, Wabash River IN/IL — bowfishing for invasive carp is growing rapidly as a management tool.