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On August 9, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted a virtual forum on invasive carp harvest and product use. This virtual event was convened in response to direction provided by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. Bighead, silver, black and grass carp – collectively referred to as ‘invasive carp’ – have been spreading in waterways across the United States and causing environmental damage since their introduction in the 1970s for use in aquaculture facilities and retention ponds. Provides access to the full recording of the forum, as well as the presentation slides.

See also: Aquatic Invasive Species for more control plans

The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee announced the release of its 2021 Asian Carp Action Plan, a comprehensive portfolio of projects focused on Great Lakes protection.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the genetic material from a plant or animal that is found in the air, water or soil. Fish, such as invasive carp, release DNA into the environment in the form of skin cells, secretions, and feces. This DNA can be collected from water samples in the field and be used to indicate the potential presence of an individual species. eDNA testing is useful as a potential early indicator of invasive carp presence and was developed to improve monitoring of such aquatic invasive species.

Research and commerce use a two-pronged ‘fork’ approach to deal with invasive fish. As many anglers know, carp are not welcome when found dangling from the hook. Classified by U.S. government as an invasive species and known colloquially as a “trash fish,” carp can take over and devastate every watery environment they enter. They’re not particularly well known in this country as good eating fish, either. To help curb the numbers of invasive fish, researchers and commerce are using a two-pronged ‘fork’ approach to deal with the invasive fish.

The Government of Canada is investing up to $20 million over five years, and ongoing, to Canada's Asian Carp Program to continue prevention efforts through early warning surveillance, partnering and outreach activities. This funding will allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada to expand the Asian Carp Program to increase protection of our Great Lakes and preserve our fisheries.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been working to slow the spread of invasive carp since the early 2000s. The Invasive Carp Action Plan was revised in 2024. The key purpose of the Action Plan is to slow the spread of invasive carp, minimize their impact, and reduce the likelihood of invasive carp reproducing in Minnesota waters.

Provides resources for National Plan, Action Plans, Monitoring Response Plans, Contingency Plans, Interim Summary Reports, and Water Resources Reform and Development Act Reports.

The Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC) announced the release of its 2022 Invasive Carp Action Plan, a comprehensive portfolio of 60 projects focused on Great Lakes protection. The Action Plan serves as a foundation for the work of the ICRCC partnership — a collaboration of 28 U.S. and Canadian federal, state, provincial, tribal, regional, and local agencies.

The Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC) is pleased to announce the release of its 2023 Invasive Carp Action Plan, a comprehensive portfolio of more than 50 projects focused on Great Lakes protection. The action plan serves as a foundation for the work of the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee partnership, a collaboration of 26 U.S. and Canadian federal, state, provincial, tribal, regional and local agencies.
See also: Action Plans and Report (see "Action Plan" section for 2023 Action Plan)

USGS scientists, in collaboration with partners, are conducting risk assessments and life history research to enhance the ability of agencies to manage Invasive carp to minimize their influence and spread.

Advanced tools help our scientists detect native and invasive species in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Provides detailed collection information as well as animated map.

Prepared by: Portland State University, Center for Lakes and Reservoirs

The U.S. Geological Survey provides natural-resource managers with scientific information, risk assessment, and tools that can help to improve surveillance, prevention, and control strategies for managing invasive carp.
Fact Sheet 2022–3012

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) delivers high-quality data, technologies, and decision-support tools to help managers reduce existing populations and control the spread of invasive carp in the Nation's waterways.
See also: Geonarratives for all USGS geonarrative / story map resources