Asian carp confirmed in Black River below Clearwater Lake Dam

The invasive fish continue to spread throughout Missouri waters, threatening native species.

The top fish is a native gizzard shad. The lower fish is an invasive young silver carp. (MDC file photo)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) fisheries management biologists confirm the presence of a silver carp, one of three species of invasive Asian carp, in the Black River, just below the Clearwater Lake Dam, near Piedmont.

“We knew Asian carp were numerous in the lower Black River near the confluence with the White River,” said Paul Cieslewicz, MDC fisheries management biologist. “This is the first we’ve seen or heard of them being near Clearwater Lake.”

Silver carp are large bodied fish with small scales, a large head, and an upturned mouth. When compared to bighead carp, the head is relatively smaller and the eyes higher on the head. The species competes with native species in large rivers, floodplain pools and reservoirs. Silver carp are native to big rivers of eastern Asia and were introduced in the United States to help improve water quality in wastewater treatment plants by feeding on very small plankton.

Silver carp specifically compete with native plankton eaters, including paddlefish and gizzard shad. Gizzard shad are a vital food source for an abundance of native fish throughout the state. The negative effect of silver carp on these native fish is detrimental to the overall health of Missouri’s waterways, according to Cieslewicz.

MDC and its partners are trying to contain the spread of this fish in Missouri.  Cieslewicz said people can help in this effort by following the Wildlife Code of Missouri and not using them as live bait. Asian carp should not be collected, transferred or dumped in Missouri waters.

For more information on Asian carp, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

Public input sought for Clearwater Conservation Area

The Clearwater CA management plan is open for public review from March 1 to March 31.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is in the multi-year process of updating Conservation Area Management Plans, and is seeking public input on how the Clearwater Conservation Area (CA) is important to Missourians. The Clearwater CA management plan is open for public review from March 1 to March 31.

MDC invites comments from recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials, government agencies, and other interested persons or groups. To make a comment on this area plan, go online to www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

MDC manages nearly 1,000 conservation areas covering almost one million public acres throughout the state for the purpose of restoring and conserving fish, forest and wildlife resources, and for providing appropriate public use, research and demonstration areas.

Conservation Area Management Plans document strategies for natural resource management and public use on specific conservation areas. Area plans also help communicate an area’s purpose and management direction to staff and interested citizens.

“It’s important that citizens have a chance to provide their input to their conservation areas,” said Rocky Hayes, MDC’s Southeast Region Forestry Supervisor. “We provide a service by managing these areas and we strive to develop quality habitat to promote wildlife health as well as outdoor opportunities for Missourians.”

Conservation Area Management Plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Area plans are currently posted on the MDC website and available at MDC offices for public comment for a limited time.

The enjoyments of activities on MDC conservation areas help enrich Missourian’s quality of life. For more information on area plan comment periods go online towww.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.a

MDC seeks public input for Wappapello and Clearwater Management Lands

Public can comment during June on long-term management plans of areas associated with these lakes.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. MDC is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments.

Draft plans for the Wappapello and Clearwater Lakes Management Lands in Reynolds and Wayne counties will be available for public comment from June 1 through June 30. To preview draft management plans and share comments online, visitwww.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

Clearwater Lake Management Land is located five miles west of Piedmont on Route HH. This area has forests, old fields and croplands. Hunting and fishing regulations and opportunities vary greatly on this conservation area, which is divided into the Black River upstream of Clearwater Lake, Clearwater Lake, and the Black River downstream of Clearwater Lake.

Wappapello Management Land is located north of Silva on State Highway 34. This area has forest, old fields and cropland with primitive camping, hiking trail, a designated horse trail and three permanent streams (St. Francis River, Logan Creek and Clark Creek). There is no access to Wappapello Lake from these lands.

Statewide, MDC conservation areas cover almost 1 million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.

“Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “These areas help people discover nature through various activities, and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish and enjoy other outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians. Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC’s ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.”

Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people.

Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and statewide context and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.

Related articles

• Missouri gets nearly $30M from US Fish and Wildlife Service (kspr.com)
• MDC seeks public input on Lone Jack Conservation Area (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)