"Natural" resources does not mean only "native" resources. Most of our lakes are not native, but TPWD takes care of them anyway.

Even if TPWD were charged to care for only "native" resources, gutting fish (of whatever species) and tossing them on the bank is explicitly against the law. And from a practical standpoint, that would hardly make a dent on carp populations.

TPWD spends millions of dollars to stock non-native fish in our waters every year.

A Texas Endemic,

From your own link: "Results from these experiments showed that common carp did not effect reproduction of either largemouth bass or bluegill, but higher predation in non-carp enclosures resulted in lower juvenile bass abundance after 45 days."

Propaganda like you are spewing just backs up what I'm saying aobut Ignorance and Stupidity.

Using misinformation and half truiths to make desisions contrary to lawful actions is Stupid no mater how you spin it.

Please tell me just how much turbidity these carp stir up in our highland lakes. Geesh man use that melon God put on your shoulders.

Well said...

A Texas Endemic,

Your a twirp. I guess there is merit in gutting Florida strain Largemouth, Stripers and Hybrids too huh?

Naturalized means that they exist in sync with the ecosystem. TPWD recognizes naturalized species just as most states do.

Growing up in Central PA most people looked at carp (and even catfish) as 'trash' fish and would often leave them on the bank to die. Thankfully I had a grandfather who followed the true spirit of angling and passed that on to his grandchildren. Even though he spent most of his time fishing for LMB, SMB or crappie he would always find time to throw out a line for carp, suckers and catfish. His philosophy was simple...If it swam in the lake he wanted the challenge of catching it, especially if it was large.

That's basically how I look at it and it seems anymore I'm even drifting further away from bass fishing.

Easy now boys, let�s not forget the point here!

�ebjr� posed the question of where the discontent some folks feel for carp came from� I was simply giving him some of my input (not trolling for trouble there Jason Johnnesson� by the way �you�re� is the proper contraction for �you are�). Be sure to read those entire studies and not just the abstracts before you start throwing out phrases like �half-truths� guys.

I have caught plenty of carp in my day, and released them unharmed� I�m all for anglers appreciating all fish (I certainly do), but we all play favorites and I tend to side with the native species.

Also, I would never presume to support illegal activities!

It's very risky to point out someone's spelling or grammar mistakes online--one might end up with egg on one's face.

There are several issues I would like to address. First off, the terms "trash fish" and "rough fish" bother me in that they suggest a fish of less worth. Now in certain cases, i.e. non-native fish, the degrading monicker may be warranted. Sadly, many of our own native suckers and minnows get lumped into these categories, and thus the problem.
Second, carp can be considered a natural resource as they occur from nature and can be used as economic resources. Unfortunately it's this "non-native" status that places them in a different category, away from our native fish. Now, of course carp are considered a naturalized species; their extreme adaptability and hardiness makes it so. But this loose term makes two tigers in your backyard reproducing and fending for themselves much the same. Obviously they don't belong there, but they're able to, and that's ridiculous.
Finally, carp in general (non-native fishes introduced to Texas and much of the world outside of their Eurasian homeland) have a long tract record of causing environmental degredation. This is not propaganda. Rather, well documented research spanning the globe (have a look for yourself). I'm not saying that there aren't other guilty suspects in the state (striped bass, FL largemouth, walleye, etc.), but carp lack the game management these other species have possessed. If I had things my way, there would be no introduced fish, just natives. You could travel the globe and appreciate each and every fish in their native streams and could relish in each region's diversity. Since the world isn't perfect, it seems to me that game management is really a balance of recreational opportunity and ecological integrity. Killing carp lies more on the later, and believe me, it IS good.
Now, that being said, I'm an avid sportsmen who enjoys the fight these fish can put up (especially on a fly rod), but catch and release is not an option. Kill 'em all, and fight the good fight! (Don't worry though, there are plenty of these little devils to go 'round). Cheers.

OK Endemic Boy and COttus Man both you green horns are not allowed to ever specificly fish for florida largemouth or stripers, or freshwater redfish, or Texas walleye, or tilapia, or hybrids, or even blue catfish. Oh and don't ever partake of the rainbow trout stockings in any state west of the Pacific range.

Else, as I'm betting, you are posers and hippocrites.

Most of us are secure enough in our manhood that we don't have the urge to kill anything we deem less that our beloved <insert four favorite fish here>.

Killing fish because you deem it inappropriate is typical of the 'barstool biologist' mentality.

I'd recommend that if you're incapable of respecting *all* of nature, perhaps a hobby outside of nature may be best for you.

Along with Florida-strain bass? And rainbow trout? And northern pike? And redbreasted sunfish? And smallmouth bass? And yellow perch? And walleye?

You missed the point completely. I WILL fish for all of those fish, and I WILL take what I legally can. Though, Texas rainbow trout are lame, I'm from the CO, give me a little credit.

Well said Texas Endemic and COttus man!!

I give each of you credit for backing up your opinions with background information that can be checked by other readers. If more people would follow your example and actually do some research instead of just accepting what grandpa said (as stated in an earlier post), I think more people would share your opinion of the common carp.

No-one missed the point at all. Well, you may have missed the *overall* point, but that is not what we're discussing here.

Second of all, several posts from people with 2 posts on the forum, do not support your argument well at all.