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The ice fishing scene in the south end of the county took on a whole new look, as researchers and water resources staff late last week implemented a box net carp harvest on North Lindstrom Lake.  

Lake Improvement District Executive Director Ben Elfelt said the harvest was not huge with about 13 or 14 carp taken, but the fish will be useful for gathering growth data and then on to the commercial market.

Common carp are abundant on the Chisago Chain of Lakes,  at an estimated 488 pounds per acre, based on survey results.  The desired sustainable number is closer to 88 pounds per acre.  

The University of Minnesota aquatics invasive species research center (MAISRC) is behind the harvest grant and the related research work that began with tracking carp activity in 2024 and will run until 2028. The Chisago Chain is one of two project areas that won grants, with the other being  in Sherburne County at Lake Fremont.

The director Sara Unruh said after the harvest last week the effort was sort of a pilot to fine tune the logistics and there will likely be a harvest in South Lindstrom and/or South Center. 

The stated goal of the “Lab to Lakes” program is to get  carp density down closer to 89 pounds per acre.  Other related areas such as highlights found in the carp environment and potential natural predators, etc will also be getting attention.

Carp are not native and are undesirable due to their habits that release nutrients  from the bottom of the lake  degrading water clarity.  

Research teams used nine integrated transponders and tracked carp movements in 2023-2024 and identified carp travel and congregating locations.  The operation pictured took place on North Lindstrom Lake.

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