Turning Today's Invasive Carp Problem into Solutions

Blue River Carp is based in Southern Indiana, specifically in the small town of Marengo. The owner, Nicholas Faulkenburg, started the business in response to the overwhelming presence of invasive carp in local waters such as the Blue River, Little Blue River, and the mighty Ohio River.

Nick enjoys catfishing but often finds he doesn’t have enough time to catch bait. Bighead and Silver carp make excellent bait, so he sought a solution. After experimenting with various methods, he developed a way to preserve cut fish without the need for refrigeration. Through extensive research and experimentation with various preservation techniques, Nicholas successfully developed a way to preserve cut fish without the need for refrigeration. This method not only enhances the bait’s shelf life but also provides a valuable resource for fellow anglers.

The Asian Carp crisis poses a serious threat to existing ecosystems in the United States, primarily by out-competing native fish for food and vital resources. These invasive species rapidly dominate certain bodies of water, endangering numerous native species in their natural habitats.

Most native fish, such as bass and crappie, rely on plankton during their larval and juvenile stages before shifting to a more diverse diet as adults. In stark contrast, certain species of Asian Carp are stuck with a plankton-based diet for their entire lives. This dietary preference allows Asian Carp to wreak havoc on the stability of the food web.

The overwhelming populations of Asian Carp deplete food sources essential for larval fish and native planktivorous species, which are critical prey for predatory sport fish like walleye and trout. The alarming decline of species such as gizzard shad, big-mouthed buffalo, large-mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish in the Illinois River directly correlates with the explosion of Asian Carp populations. Although there are natural predators, including walleye, eagles, and pelicans, they cannot keep up with the rapid growth of Asian Carp, which grow too large and too quickly for effective population control.

As a result, nearly all major rivers feeding into the Mississippi River are now dominated by Asian Carp, including the Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee Rivers, along with numerous smaller streams and ditches. In certain areas of the Illinois River, Asian Carp represent nearly 90% of the total aquatic animal mass.

Despite housing more than 99% of Asian Carp in the United States, the Mississippi watershed has received significantly less attention than the Great Lakes. Experts predict that if Asian Carp enter the Great Lakes, they will not only thrive but could entirely destabilize or devastate the existing ecosystem. While some contend that these warm-water species may struggle in the colder Great Lakes waters, the potential for ecological disaster remains a critical concern that cannot be ignored.

“WE TURN TODAY’S INVASIVE CARP PROBLEM INTO SOLUTIONS”

50,000

20,000

Bags Sold

Repurposed Invasive Carp

Our Location

Located in the heart of fishing communities, we provide convenient bait solutions for anglers everywhere.

Address

5462 E Valeene Rd. Marengo, IN. 47140

Phone

812.572.1721

Email

bluerivercarp@gmail.com