Utah's Great Carp Hunt Returns to Save Lake Ecosystem

Community anglers compete to remove invasive fish and restore native species

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:09am

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex ecosystem of Utah Lake and the interplay between native and invasive fish species.The Great Carp Hunt aims to restore the balance of Utah Lake's ecosystem by removing the invasive carp population through a community-driven competition.Provo Today

Utah Lake is facing a persistent battle against invasive carp, and the Utah Lake Authority is calling on the community to join forces once again. The 'Great Carp Hunt' is back, with cash prizes for anglers who catch the most carp. The competition aims to remove the estimated 3 to 4 million carp in the lake and restore the ecosystem, particularly the endangered June sucker.

Why it matters

Carp are a major threat to Utah Lake's ecosystem, muddying the waters, destroying native plants, and endangering the June sucker, a native fish. Removing carp is crucial to tackling other issues and restoring the lake's health, which is a priority for local leaders who have set an ambitious goal of clearing the lake of invasive species by 2034.

The details

The Great Carp Hunt is an annual event, and this year, the Utah Lake Authority is introducing a bounty system. For each carp caught, teams will receive $1.50, and the Authority will match that amount, contributing to the grand prize pool. The competition will run from April to June, with tournaments scheduled twice a month. There are two categories, one for shore fishing and one for boat fishing, to cater to different angling styles.

  • The Great Carp Hunt will run from April to June 2026.
  • Tournaments will be held twice a month during the competition period.

The players

Utah Lake Authority

The government agency responsible for managing and restoring Utah Lake, which is calling on the community to participate in the Great Carp Hunt.

Kelly Cannon-O'Day

Spokesperson for the Utah Lake Authority, who emphasizes the urgency of removing carp to restore the lake's ecosystem.

Michelle Kaufusi

Former Provo mayor and current chair of the Utah Lake Authority board, who has set an ambitious goal of ridding the lake of carp and invasive plants by 2034.

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What they’re saying

“We've made progress with the June sucker, but there's still a long way to go. Getting carp numbers down is crucial to tackling other issues and restoring the lake's health.”

— Kelly Cannon-O'Day, Spokesperson, Utah Lake Authority

“The more you catch, the higher your chances of winning!”

— Kelly Cannon-O'Day, Spokesperson, Utah Lake Authority

“We want to remove as many carp as possible, and this system allows us to do that while keeping costs down.”

— Kelly Cannon-O'Day, Spokesperson, Utah Lake Authority

“In Utah, we believe in the impossible. Carp, you're next! We won't rest until Utah Lake's waters are clear again.”

— Michelle Kaufusi, Chair, Utah Lake Authority Board

What’s next

The Utah Lake Authority is working closely with Utah's congressional delegation to secure additional funding for more aggressive measures to reduce the carp population in the lake.

The takeaway

The Great Carp Hunt is a community-driven effort to restore the ecosystem of Utah Lake by removing the invasive carp population. This initiative, with its bounty system and competitive format, aims to engage local anglers and make significant progress towards the goal of clearing the lake of carp and invasive plants by 2034.