Martin and Typo Lake Carp Removal

This project will improve aquatic habitat in Martin and Typo Lakes and interconnected wetland habitats by removing common carp with a science-based approach that incorporates existing carp barriers, radio tracking, and population analysis to set goals and track progress. Over three years we will do up to 4 commercial harvests at deeper Martin Lake and 16+ days of summer box netting at shallower Typo Lake to remove most carp. To guide these and future harvests we will use radio tagging and tracking, age structure analysis of captured carp and identification of nursery areas. We will develop a long-term, location-specific, science-based strategy, and a decision-support tool (carp population model) to sustain project benefits after the grant period. By working throughout this chain of lakes we will create a connected network of habitat yielding multiple benefits to fish, wildlife and water.

Carp strongly degrade aquatic habitat and water quality through their feeding behaviors, and they currently appear to be dominating fish biomass in these Lakes. By digging in the bottom while foraging, carp uproot plants, disturb sediments and release nutrient rich excrement into the water. The result is a lack of vegetative habitat, high turbidity and poor habitat for fish and waterfowl (Haas et al. 2007, Bajer et al. 2009). For this project, we will hire a U of M startup company, Carp Solutions LLC, who develop and apply carp management strategies using the most recent science. Carp control will improve water clarity, increase plants, improve game fish community, and enhance desirable wildlife populations.

This is the second phase of carp control at these lakes. In 2016 we completed installation of four strategic carp barriers, which were partially funded by a CPL grant. The barriers separate spawning and overwintering areas to reduce carp reproduction. The barriers also prevent adult re-colonization after carp harvests, correcting a problem that had made benefits of previous harvests short-lived. While the ?phase 1? carp barriers have benefits on their own, the ?phase 2? harvests we are proposing in this application are the path to bigger, faster results.

Multiple aquatic habitats will benefit from this project. They include Martin and Typo Lakes, >1 mile of Typo Creek between the lakes, >150 acres of adjacent wetland and downstream waters of the Sunrise and St. Croix Rivers. This project is a priority in local and regional natural resource plans.