Want to make some money and help stop the spread of an invasive species known for doing significant damage to native fisheries and aquatic ecosystems? Anglers in Texas can now earn some serious cash while protecting their fisheries. The Black Carp Bounty Program has officially been extended to include Texas anglers fishing the Red River, offering a $100 reward for every invasive black carp harvested and reported.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), black carp have not yet been documented in Texas waters, but recent reports show the species moving closer to the Red River drainage, raising concerns among state and federal fisheries managers. The Red River forms part of the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, making early detection and rapid response critical to preventing establishment.
Black carp are native to lakes and rivers in eastern Asia, ranging from southern Russia to southern China and Vietnam, and were first introduced into the United States in the 1970s. Unlike other invasive carp species that are more commonly caught, black carp tend to live near the riverbed and feed primarily on mussels and snails. This feeding behavior poses a major threat to native freshwater mussels, which are considered the most threatened group of animals in North America, according to the Invasive Carp Regional Committee.
Fisheries experts warn that unchecked black carp populations can cause long-term damage to aquatic ecosystems, particularly in major river systems such as the Mississippi River Basin. While much attention has been given to silver and bighead carp, less is known about black carp because they are rarely caught by recreational anglers.
To improve detection and research, state and federal fisheries partners support the Black Carp Bounty Program, which offers $100 per individual fish, with up to 10 reimbursements per month. A total of 27 state agencies participate in the program, which is open to anyone, though agencies are especially interested in engaging commercial fishers because their gear and techniques are more effective at catching black carp.
Most of what scientists currently know about black carp comes from specimens provided by commercial fishers over the past decade through the bounty program. Of nearly 1,000 documented captures, less than 1% were caught using recreational fishing gear. To date, black carp have been captured in the shared waters of eight states — Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee — primarily in the lower Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio rivers.
Scientists are using these specimens to study black carp age, growth, diet and reproduction, as well as to assess their distribution and abundance. Telemetry tracking and other field research have also provided insight into habitat use and movement patterns.
Anglers should be able to properly identify the species before attempting to participate. Black carp are typically blue, gray or black in color, with large scales, a narrow head and a pointed snout. Because some protected native species can resemble black carp, proper identification is critical. To help with this, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released an identification video specifically for anglers, as well as a brochure that helps identify the invasives.
Other states are also taking the threat seriously. Kentucky recently doubled down on its fight against invasive carp, with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources increasing its bounty on black carp from 10 cents to 15 cents per pound for specimens harvested from Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
Texas anglers who catch a black carp in the Red River are instructed to keep the fish, kill it humanely and place it on ice. The catch should then be reported immediately to the appropriate state agency. For the Red River Basin in Texas, reports should be made to Monica McGarrity with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-552-3465 or monica.mcgarrity@tpwd.texas.gov.
