RIDGE RUNNER CHRONICLES: Asian Carp are not that Funny Anymore

By Editor | April 21, 2026 |

An article appeared in the April 9 edition of the Wall Street Journal regarding some “high-flying fish” referred to as Asian carp; some politically correct folks believe this name is insensitive so this species is also sometimes referred to as “silver carp” or “invasive carp” but here in the Mid-West, they are Asian carp. One thing we can agree on is that they are, in deed, ‘high flying” and terribly invasive. And yes, they came from China.
During the Mississippi River flood of 1993, these carp escaped from their holding ponds in Arkansas and since then, they have invaded the Mississippi River, the Illinois River, the Missouri River and parts of the Ohio River and rivers in Kentucky and Tennessee as well. They are so invasive that they have essentially destroyed the natural aquatic habitat for other fish and wildlife in those water systems. But there is another feature about these fish that makes them downright dangerous: they become highly agitated by outboard motors and will leap out of the water, putting boaters at risk of serious injury by getting hit by 30 pound flying fish. To see what I am talking about, click on YouTube and type in “Asian carp jumping.” I have personally experienced this while fishing on the Mississippi. It ceases to be funny when you have a bunch of Asian carp flopping around in the bottom of your jon boat and less funny if you get smacked.
The Wall Street Journal column may have been intended to be an amusing piece but there is nothing amusing about Asian carp. And the species is now at the threshold of entering and invading the Great Lakes via the Illinois River system. If that happens, it will be an unprecedented and irreversible ecological disaster. The experts have determined that our last hope to keep these fish out of the Great Lakes is to install a 1.5 billion dollar screening system at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam–the third lock and dam on the Illinois River from Lake Michigan–to discourage these fish from going into Lake Michigan. This screening system would have a series of intense bubble machines and acoustic speakers underwater to discourage these fish from going further. (Do the authorities think, perhaps, that the carp will be spooked by some full volume AC/DC and Black Sabbath?)
There is no guarantee that despite its astronomical cost, this design will be effective. In the past, state and federal authorities have tried to stop this Asian carp invasion by CO2 barriers, electric shock systems, strobe lights and even chemical poisons and none of these concepts have worked. Even if the Brandon Road Project would work when completed, it will not be finished for another six years and by then, maybe it will be too late. And surprise, surprise, there is now a political fight between Governor Pritzker and President Trump over funding issues. Maybe we should put those two in a 14 foot jon boat in the Mississippi to see if they can “make a deal” before they get smacked by some agitated Asian carp.
Note: Ironically, two of my life-long friends, Ben Allen and Gray Magee, have developed a relatively cheap and effective system to deal with the Asian carp problem but so far, the authorities are not interested. Check out their invention at www.internationalproteinusa.com.
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■ Bill Hoagland has practiced law in Alton for more than 50 years, but he has spent more than 70 years hunting, fishing and generally being in the great outdoors. His wife, Annie, shares his love of the outdoor life. Much of their spare time is spent on their farm in Calhoun County. Bill can be reached at [email protected].