Three Grass Carp Captured in Ontario Waters

The monitoring season for Asian carps was a busy one for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the OFAH Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP), with three Grass Carp captured in 2023.

On June 20th DFO captured one while they were conducting early detection surveillance in the Grand River, near Dunnville. Once analyzed, it was determined the fish was a sterile male that weighed 8.29kg (approx. 18lbs).

On July 3rd a commercial fisher caught, reported and transferred a Grass Carp to the Lake Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Unit. The fish was then given to DFO, and it was determined to be a fertile female. Upon learning the fish was fertile, MNRF and DFO crews searched the nearby waters for five days and found no additional Grass Carp.

The third capture occurred on August 16th and was captured by a fisherman near Fort Erie, who then reported the fish to the ISAP via the Invading Species Hotline. The fish had been circling near the surface of the water and the angler, recognizing the fish as a Grass Carp, was able to net the fish before reporting it. ISAP then coordinated with DFO and the angler to ensure the fish ended up with DFO biologists the same day. Once analyzed, it was determined to be sterile.