A 32-pound grass carp caught near Fort Erie, in the Upper Niagara River in mid-August was found to be sterile.
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) Assistant Coordinator Brook Schryer said that the fish was first reported by Fort Erie angler Denis Kreze three weeks prior. At that time, he was not able to catch the fish, but noted that it seemed to be oddly shaped shape and swimming in circles near the surface. Schryer said this hinted it was a hatchery-raised fish. Kreze took photos of the fish in the water, but it could not be identified by these.
Kreze was told that if he saw the fish again, he should try to capture it or take more photos.
He encountered the fish on Aug. 16, netted it, and sent photos to ISAP where it was confirmed to be a grass carp. The Department of Fisheries and Ocean was immediately alerted, and their staff met Kreze on shore and retained the fish for further examination. Subsequent testing confirmed the fish was sterile and probably a hatchery fish that had escaped from somewhere in the US.
A grass carp was also caught near that location in 2020, Schryer said.
If you suspect you’ve captured a grass carp or any other invasive species, take a photo, note your location, and report it to the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or online at www.EDDMapS.org/Ontario.
