Invasive Flying Fish Threaten Michigan Waters: Beware the Silver Carp

There's an old saying that goes something along the lines of: "A bad day fishing is better than a great day at work." It's a safe bet that whoever came up with that saying was never hit in the head by a 60-pound flying fish.

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That, my friends, is not a peaceful afternoon. That's a freshwater attack worthy of something not even the WWE could make up. It's also a real-world threat poised to invade Michigan's lakes.

Michigan Invasive Species Watchlist: Silver Carp

Silver carp have earned their spot on Michigan's invasive species watchlist for one simple reason: if they get into the Great Lakes, they don't just casually swim around... they take over like they've got squatter's rights.

These fish are like vacuum cleaners on the loose. They feed low on the food chain, sucking up the microscopic buffet that native fish rely on to survive. When silver carp move into an environment, they outcompete the home team, consuming all the resources and throwing the whole food chain out of whack.

The 'Flying Fish' Problem

Now for the part that sounds fake but absolutely isn't. Silver carp are easily disturbed. When frightened by passing boats, a goose landing, or even a stone thrown into the water, these fish instinctively launch themselves up to 10 feet out of the water and straight into boats, people, or your unsuspecting forehead.

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And these aren't dainty little minnows. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), silver carp can weigh 20, 40, or even 60 pounds. Once they get up to speed and in the path of a moving boat, that's not a fish; it's a torpedo with fins that scares easily. Not something we want in Michigan's freshwater lakes.

How Close Are Silver Carp

An established population is already wreaking havoc in the Illinois River. An electric barrier located just 37 miles from Lake Michigan has kept the silver carp invasion from entering. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission admits it's not foolproof and asks residents to keep a sharp eye out for this invasive species.

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Silver carp DNA has been found in the Chicago Waterway System, but no adults have been caught. If you do see or are hit in the face with a flying silver carp in Michigan waters, report it immediately to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) by using their online tool or on the MISIN smartphone app.