Are invasive carp dangerous?
Silver carp (a variety of invasive carp) are easily disturbed and will jump as much as 10 feet into the air in response to rocks thrown in the water, passing trains, geese taking off from the water, or just when they unexpectedly find themselves in a tight place. They also jump at the sound of outboard motors, often landing in boats and sometimes striking the passengers. With a boat speed of over 20 mph and fish that can weigh over 20 pounds, this can be disastrous. Jumping fish have seriously injured many boaters and damaged boats. Water skiing on the Missouri River is now exceedingly dangerous because most of the fish jump behind the boat.
Learn More: Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Carp
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Asian carp behavior in response to static water gun firing Asian carp behavior in response to static water gun firing
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Hydraulic and water-quality data collection for the investigation of Great Lakes tributaries for Asian carp spawning and egg-transport suitability Hydraulic and water-quality data collection for the investigation of Great Lakes tributaries for Asian carp spawning and egg-transport suitability
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Elizabeth A. Murphy, P. Ryan Jackson
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Updated Date: July 25, 2025