Part 2 

Probably the most well known ANS in North Dakota and the upper Midwest is the common 
carp, introduced by European immigrants well over a century ago.  These invaders live in 
many of the state’s lakes and rivers, and they take up space that could be used by 
walleyes, northern pike and other desirable game fish.

The new aquatic nuisance species can be every bit as damaging as carp if they get into 
our waters. They crowd out native species and can plug up our waterways. Even a moderate 
infestation can reduce a lake’s potential for growing sportfish by 50 percent or more.  
And, Game and Fish can’t reverse the problem simply by stocking more gamefish.

Lynn Schlueter: "Aquatic nuisance species have a number of things they need: One, they have a competition with our desirable native flora and fauna, our plants, our animals; they also modify the habitats and if you modify the habitat then you create more problems for the desirable fish."

Tom: 
The nice thing about ANS, if there is a nice thing, is that humans can make a 
difference. We can stop the advance of many of these exotic plant and animal hitchhikers 
by not giving them a ride to another destination. 

For instance, the simple task of getting rid of leftover baitfish on shore, rather than 
dumping them in the water, can ensure that a hidden small carp, sucker or other unwanted 
fish doesn’t get transferred from bait bucket to lake.

Anglers and other boaters are likely the primary agent for moving ANS from one body of 
water to another. Only one plant fragment or seed, or small fish or eggs, catching a 
ride on a boat or trailer is all it takes to ruin a lake or river several years down the 
road.

When you leave a lake or river, in North Dakota or an out-of-state water, the Game and 
Fish Department urges you to thoroughly inspect your boat and trailer.

Check the motor for plant fragments, and look carefully for weeds on the trailer. The 
eastern end of Lake Sakakawea, and parts of the Missouri River, are loaded with curly-
leaf pondweed. We don’t want it traveling elsewhere.

Drain your livewell and bilge at the ramp so water from one lake is not transferred to 
another. That’s likely how zebra mussels found their way from the Great Lakes to the 
heart of Minnesota’s lake country, less than 150 miles from our border.