It seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, as the land was settled people would need readily accessible and inexpensive protein. What could be better than another import, one with fins and scales? So a number of state and federal agencies brought the common carp to the shores of America and throughout Nebraska.
Common carp were the first of the invasive carp to hit North America’s shores, imported more than a hundred years ago. All invasive carp, such as silver and bighead carp, derived from Asia, but common carp have been present for so long that many do not think of them as non-native, invasive species. Their impact on water quality and aquatic habitat leaves no doubt that they are one of the worst aquatic nuisance species with which we have been cursed.
Unfortunately, common carp are very successful in the waters of the Nebraska Sandhills. They readily take advantage of newly flooded habitats, and they are particularly prosperous in relatively shallow, productive waters. Some Sandhills waters have been dominated by common carp almost to the exclusion of other species, especially more desirable sport fish species.
Common carp feed by rooting around in bottom sediments. Their activities eliminate submerged aquatic vegetation and result in poor water quality dominated by algal blooms. Habitat suitability for sport fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife is severely degraded when common carp dominate Sandhills lake fish communities.
Stewardship of Sandhills lakes has for decades included management of common carp populations. This is accomplished by removing or even eliminating them where possible. Preventing their movements into new waters or reinvasion of waters where they have been removed is another important management strategy. These activities will probably always be needed on Nebraska’s Sandhills lakes.