U of M Study says Asian Carp Impact on Lake Erie Would be Mixed

Were Asian carp to get into Lake Erie, its impact on native fish would be mixed, according to a study out of the University of Michigan.

The food-web study found while most fish in Lake Erie would see declines if Asian carp were to make it into the lake, some fish would actually increase.

Ed Rutherford, a co-author of the study, says because Asian carp are plankton eaters they would negatively impact other plankton feeders like rainbow trout, gizzard shad and emerald shiner, but fish-eating fish like smallmouth bass could gain numbers.

The study also says Asian carp could eventually account for about a third of total weight of fish in the lake.

Studies are currently being conducted on the impact Asian carp would have on lakes Michigan, Huron and Ontario.