Help Control Invasive Black Carp in Arkansas And Earn $100

Arkansas anglers can now participate in a program called “Keep, Cool, Call.” According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, any angler who catches an invasive black carp in Arkansas could earn $100 by reporting and sharing their information on their catch with invasive carp biologist Rachel Irby.

Any Arkansas commercial, recreational angler, and bowfisher who catches a black carp is entitled to receive up to 10 payments per month, with each reward equaling $100.

According to the press release, strict guidelines must be followed to receive the money.

"Anyone who catches a fish that they believe to be a black carp should keep the fish, humanely dispatch it, and place it on ice. Transporting a live invasive carp is illegal in Arkansas, so the fish must be dispatched before moving it," said Irby.

Anglers who catch a black carp must keep note of their location, via GPS preferred, type of fishing gear, and bait used, habitat conditions, depth, water temperature, and current conditions. Photos must be taken of the total length, the fish's head, and mouth for proper identification. All information should be sent to rachael.irby@agfc.ar.gov or call her at 501-517-3904 to submit your entry.

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Flyers are available at the AGFC website to help determine the four different species of invasive carp in Arkansas. The reward is only for the black carp.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are mapping the spread of invasive black carp throughout the Mississippi River Basin.