Off-channel habitat use by silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) in the upper Mississippi River

River Research and Applications
By: , and 

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Abstract

The spread of invasive carp in the Mississippi River Basin of the U.S. has caused substantial ecological and economic problems. Although there are a variety of strategies to manage invasive carp, removal remains a central part of many efforts. To be most effective, large-scale removal of invasive carp should target fish when they are densely aggregated in locations with favorable conditions for deploying fishing gear. We used acoustic telemetry to track off-channel habitat use by silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp H. nobilis in backwaters and impounded areas across three navigation pools of the upper Mississippi River to identify factors associated with high densities. Backwater areas generally had high use when temperatures were warm and river discharge was high, and impounded areas generally had high use when temperatures were cooler and discharge was lower. Models of habitat use suggest silver carp and bighead carp show predictable habitat relationships in off-channel areas that could improve removal efficiency.

Suggested Citation

Milde, A.S., Gibson-Reinemer, D.K., Larson, J.H., Vallazza, J.M., Mosel, K.J., Bailey, S., Knights, B.C., and Fritts, A.K., 2025, Off-channel habitat use by silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) in the upper Mississippi River: River Research and Applications, v. 41, no. 10, p. 2234-2247, https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.70043.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Off-channel habitat use by silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) in the upper Mississippi River
Series title River Research and Applications
DOI 10.1002/rra.70043
Volume 41
Issue 10
Publication Date September 15, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description 14 p.
First page 2234
Last page 2247
Country United States
State Illinois, Iowa, Missouri
Other Geospatial upper Mississippi River
Additional publication details