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Chisago Lakes carp are being put on notice— the Labs to Lakes Initiative has you in its sights.  The initiative is a dedicated carp management effort, under the auspices of the MN Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center or (MAISRC) and the Chisago Chain of Lakes is getting major help to manage its excessive carp numbers.

A 2023 carp density study that the Lake Improvement District (LID) took on uncovered “significant and surprising findings on carp abundance” according to Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider.  He  says the data collection project using electrofishing to attach 20 tags, that are tracked with radio signals, helped attract the attention of the MAISRC. 

The Chisago Lakes LID was invited to participate in a $1 million-plus invasive pest management collaboration.

County Board Chair Marlys Dunne, who sits on the LID Board as liaison declares “...this is an exceptional opportunity” which brings a ton of benefit to the county with no impact on the tax levy.

Schneider added the amount that was spent on the 2023 carp study by the LID,  to develop some baseline data,  will be recouped many times over with funding in the MAISRC program.

LID Director Ben Elfelt added that the work done recently by the LID through its agreement with WSB engineering, was what “painted the picture’ that attracted the state researchers to the Chisago Chain.  Elfelt says the LID Board and staff are excited to get going on this four-year project, that includes more research on the water and an implementation plan to bring down carp numbers.

Expanded contracts with WSB will be funded through the MAISRC program along with associated hours for LID staff.   Future field study will bring in winter survey data in January and February of each year, including dissolved oxygen monitoring.  There will be at least 80 carp analyzed and tested for age structure parameters.  Bluegill populations will assessed for their role in baby carp management (bio control.) 

The outcome will be to sustainably maintain carp numbers to below 89 pounds per acre by 2028.  In certain water bodies the 2023 carp counting process came up with more like 488 pounds per acre.

From the 2023 statistics, South Center Lake led the density estimates, followed by North Center and North Lindstrom lakes.

The reason carp are targeted for management is due to their negative impacts on the fisheries. The carp stir up sediment and this releases phosphorus which affects water quality and clarity.  The beneficial weeds that serve as game fish nurseries are unable to thrive.

Carp are considered “regulated invasive species” by the Dept. of Natural Resources.

Later on;  management may involve active harvesting, barriers, or any number of approaches depending on the results of the final carp movement and abundance data analysis and implementation plan that gets developed.  The MAISRC looks to lay the groundwork on how to sustainably manage carp populations throughout the state long term.

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