Movement, Distribution, and Effects of Common Carp in Three Interconnected Glacial Lakes in Southeastern South Dakota

Matthew J. Hennen

Common carp Cyprinus carpio are one of the most widely distributed and introduced fish species (Fuller et al. 1999).  Since their introduction into South Dakota in the late 1800’s, common carp have become prevalent in most aquatic ecosystems in eastern South Dakota.  Common carp are adaptable to a wide array of conditions and are tolerant of a broad range of temperatures, turbidities, salinities, and dissolved oxygen levels.  Their life history (e.g., rapid growth rates, long life spans, and high fecundity) provides the capacity to rapidly produce dense populations (Panek 1987). Common carp are known to degrade aquatic ecosystems by re-suspending nutrients, increasing turbidity, and reducing aquatic vegetation via their benthic feeding activities and reproductive behaviors (Parkos et al. 2003). Despite the fact that common carp are possibly the most abundant fish in the majority of eastern South Dakota lakes, there is limited biological information and no existing plans to manage their abundance. The objectives of this study are: 1) to determine current characteristics (i.e., growth, size, sex ratio, and age structure) of common carp populations in lakes Herman, Madison, and Brant; 2) to determine common carp movement patterns and spatial distributions in Brant Lake and interbasin movement among lakes Herman, Madison, and Brant; and 3) to investigate abundance and composition responses of panfish, invertebrate, zooplankton and aquatic plants to common carp exclusion.  This study is designed to provide necessary information relating to carp population dynamics, movement, and effects through the use of tagging and recapture methods, telemetry, and exclosures.  The ultimate goal of this study is to provide information to be used in the development of  strategies to control common carp abundance and thus limit the negative impacts they may impose on the ecological functioning of aquatic systems and native fishes.

References:

Fuller, P.L., L.G. Nico, and J.D. Williams. 1999. Nonindigenous fishes introduced into inland waters of the United States. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 27, Bethesda, Maryland.

Panek, F. M. 1987. Biology and ecology of carp. Pages 1-15 in E. L. Cooper, editor. Carp in North America. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Parkos, J.J., V.J. Santucci, Jr., and D.H. Wahl. 2003. Effects of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on multiple trophic levels in shallow mesocosms. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60:182-192.