A massive grass carp weighing almost 100 pounds was recently caught in a Louisiana lake during routine spring sampling by biologists with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Measuring 49.5 inches long and weighing 92 pounds, the fish would have broken world records if it had been caught in a fishing competition. The grass carp caught in Lake Concordia in Concordia Parish exceeded the “all-tackle” world record set in Bulgaria in 2009 by four pounds and would have tied the current world record of the Bowfishing Association of America set in Alabama in 2015.
In addition to its impressive size, the grass carp caught in Lake Concordia was a species that had never been seen in the lake before, according to the LDWF. Biologist Shelby Richard speculated that the fish most likely traveled through Cocodrie Bayou and into Lake Concordia via a control structure. Grass carp are originally from Asia and have been used in the U.S. since the 1960s to manage aquatic vegetation in lakes and ponds.
The grass carp is a fast-growing species that can reach up to 4 feet long within two years of stocking, making them an effective tool for controlling aquatic vegetation growth. However, their rapid growth also makes them a potential threat to native species and ecosystems if not managed properly. The LDWF will continue to monitor the grass carp population in Lake Concordia and take appropriate measures to ensure their sustainable use for fisheries management purposes while minimizing any negative impact on native species and ecosystems.
