ABOUT THE PROJECT
One of the most challenging parts about removing carp from our lakes is waiting for them to group together in parts of the lake that are suitable for netting and removal. Some areas of the lake are too steep, have too many rocks, or have too much vegetation – all of these preventing a successful removal of carp.
One of the new, innovative tools that PLSLWD started using in 2020 is baited box traps. The University of Minnesota and several watershed districts in the metro area have had success using this tool to remove carp from their lakes. First, a box trap (large net) is placed in the lake bed of a suitable area. Then the net is continuously baited with corn until a large group of carp start regularly visiting the site. Once a big enough aggregation is in the trap, the ends of the net are pulled up and the carp inside are captured and removed from the lake.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Do you have a boat? Want a great excuse to head out on the lake and help us capture carp? Then you can help! We need volunteers that are willing to visit our baited box trap areas (2-3 day commitment) and check to see how much corn the carp are eating and to refill the bag as needed. Volunteers will check it once a day during the 2-3 day period.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Volunteers will be provided with a map to show where the baited box trap area is. Corn will be placed in a mesh bag on the lake, marked with a white PLSLWD buoy. The corn bag will have a marked level to indicate when it’s “full”. Volunteers will pull the corn bag out of the water and take a photo, noting approximately how much corn has been eaten. Using an online Google form, volunteers will report back to the PLSLWD on what they observed. Volunteers will also be re-filling the bag with corn up to the full line at each visit. The corn and detailed instructions will be provided to volunteers with a contact-less delivery and training.
TIMEFRAME
June to August: Volunteer for 2-3 day segments, checking on the box trap each day during your selected time.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Shauna Capron at 952-440-0101 or scapron@plslwd.org.
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
Click Here to Register