Asian Carp Fishing Methods on the Illinois River

Asian carp are dangerous for Midwestern waterways because they consume large amounts of native species' food and have no predators, meaning Asian carp could crowd out native game fish species. Even though Asian carp are considered an unwanted pest in waterways like the Illinois River, fishing enthusiasts are finding it to be a tasty angling target. Some fishers have begun targeting the Asian carp to sell to processing plants that serve Asian-American communities.

  1. Net Fishing

    • Net fishing Asian carp is a basic way to catch many fish. In areas of the Illinois River with large volumes of Asian carp, harvesting the invasive species was forced on local fishing business when their intended targets stopped appearing in their nets. To catch Asian carp with a net, locate a place in the river that is teaming with Asian carp and drop your large net slightly downriver. Wait until the net is full of fish, and pull them up to your boat. Net fishers have reported bringing in more than 10,000 lb. of Asian carp from the Illinois River in a day.

    Suspension or Snagging Methofs

    • Traditional hook and line fishing may be a difficult way to catch Asian carp, but it is possible to catch these fish through snagging or suspension fishing. Suspension fishing requires a large disintegrating bait ball that is surrounded by tiny hooks. The fish will feed on the bait until they get hooked. To snag, use a large, weighted hook, then jerk it through the water until you snag the fish somewhere on its body. This method is illegal in some areas of the Illinois River.

    Bowfishing

    • Bowfishing is a method for catching large Asian carp. This requires a motorboat and bowfishing equipment. Since Asian carp will jump out of the water when startled, tilt your motor as far down as possible, and drive your boat gently through the water until it gets the fish to jump. While one person operates the motor, another person waits on the back of the boat to shoot when the fish start jumping. This method is best in water 3 to 5 feet deep.

    Redneck Fishing Tournament

    • The Redneck Fishing Tournament is an annual event held in Bath, Illinois. The tournament is held in August, and more than 5,000 participants use their boats to startle Asian carp into jumping, then catch the flying fish midair in nets. Teams dress up like rednecks and drive their boats across the river, trying to catch as many fish as possible. In 2010, participants caught about 7,000 carp, and organizers hold the event to help handle the Asian carp problem in the Illinois River. Pole fishing is not allowed during this event.