Kansas Biologists Remove Over 100,000 Pounds of Invasive Carp

Efforts to combat the spread of Asian carp species in the Kansas River have reached a major milestone.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:31pm

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Biologists with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have successfully removed over 100,000 pounds of invasive Asian carp species from the Kansas River since 2022. The removal efforts, which utilize specialized equipment like electrified dozer trawls, have helped slow the spread of the pesky intruders and protect native aquatic species.

Why it matters

Invasive Asian carp species like silver, black, and bighead carp pose a major threat to Kansas waterways by outcompeting native fish for food and resources. The carp can also pose a physical danger to boaters and recreational users when the silver carp leap out of the water. These removal efforts are crucial to preserving the ecological balance of the Kansas River.

The details

Biologists have removed around 109,000 pounds of invasive carp from the Kansas River since 2022, with a record 36,000 pounds taken out in 2025 alone. The KDWP has employed specialized equipment like electrified dozer trawls, which stun the fish using electricity while a push trawl collects the stunned carp. Standard electrofishing and gill netting methods are also still used.

  • Removal efforts began in 2022.
  • A record 36,000 pounds of carp were removed in 2025.

The players

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

The state agency responsible for managing Kansas' wildlife and natural resources, including leading the effort to remove invasive Asian carp from the Kansas River.

Liam Odell

An invasive carp biologist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks who has overseen the removal efforts.

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What they’re saying

“These removal efforts appear to have produced positive effects in Kansas waterways and for native species.”

— Liam Odell, Invasive Carp Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

What’s next

The department is currently considering adding a larger and more intensive removal effort to further reduce the invasive carp populations in the Kansas River.

The takeaway

The successful removal of over 100,000 pounds of invasive Asian carp from the Kansas River demonstrates the state's commitment to protecting its waterways and native species from the threat posed by these destructive fish. The continued use of specialized equipment and removal methods will be crucial to sustaining these efforts in the years to come.