FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2014
Media Contacts:
Diane Lynch
952-378-2164
Carp Tournament Winners Announced
The second annual Carp Tournament was a resounding success! On Saturday, May 31, 7 teams from Spring Lake and 12 teams from Prior Lake raced to beat forecasted thunderstorms and pulled in 64 common carp over a three-hour period, totaling 707.23 pounds. Back Country Bowfishing won the first place prize of $1000 for 118.15 pounds of carp. The Back Country Bowfishing team included David Simpkins, Ryan Wetherell and Ryan Coyle. Carpermeisters won the first place prize of $250 for the biggest fish—it tipped the scales at 30.73 pounds–and third place for 112.16 pounds of carp. Team members included: Aaron Hoefs and Justin Vanderwerf. A $500 second place prize went to Fern Brothers for 115.56 pounds of carp. Team members included: Ben, Pete and Benjamin Fern.
Curt Hennes, President of the Board of Managers for the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District, stated “Our second annual Carp Tournament is another effort by the District to address carp infestations in Spring and Prior Lakes. The District hired Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to conduct electrofishing on Spring Lake in a few weeks. Electrofishing helps estimate carp abundance so we will know the extent of the problem and will then be able to continue aggressive management.” According to the Department of Natural Resources, “Common carp are one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species due to their wide distribution and severe impacts in shallow lakes and wetlands. Their feeding disrupts shallowly-rooted plants muddying the water and releases phosphorus that increases algae abundance. Native aquatic plants diminish, along with waterfowl and fish who depend upon them.”
The District thanked Captain Jack’s, Buckingham Companies and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for their donations to help make this event a success.