Invasive carp discovered in Cooper Creek Reservoir near Roseburg

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:05][music] [music] >> So, we got a report from an angler, and that's not uncommon in the agencies.

[00:00:20]We'll get a report from a member of the public about something they see out there, whether it be an invasive species or other impacts. And you know, if we can, we'll go and investigate. So, we happen to have our electrofishing boat [music] in Roseburg and came out here and we're pretty quickly able to establish that they're here.

[00:00:36]I caught up with an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife crew on their fourth day of electrofishing for carp in Cooper Creek Reservoir. They had stunned and removed 40 large carp from the lake, which is a much-loved bass and trout fishery and summer boating paradise close to the town of Sutherland. They're hugging the shoreline with the electrofishing boat, sending a current of electricity through the water.

[00:00:58]>> [music] >> It stuns the fish, doesn't kill them immediately, and then they're able to net the fish and remove them, place them in the boat. We're focusing on the near shoreline because [music] that seems to be where they're they're right now, where they're at.

[00:01:11]We think that they're likely getting ready to spawn.

[00:01:15]Every six or so, you can swap the net with me.

[00:01:18]They don't float after you hit them.

[00:01:20]Yeah. They come up at first and then they sink. Okay. So, male, male, male, female.

[00:01:27]Native to Europe and Asia, carp have ecological impacts on water bodies by degrading habitat for native fish, increasing water turbidity by uprooting plants. Simply put, they can turn Cooper Creek Reservoir into a muddy, uninviting mess >> [music] >> and outcompete other species such as trout and bass. We anticipate them, you know, disrupting the vegetation [music] around the lake, and then that's kind of the further the ecosystem where we might see a disruption [music] in the the web, maybe impact other fish species or other wildlife species and their ability to survive in the in the reservoir. And then the bigger concern is [music] actually escaping the reservoir and entering into the Umpqua basins flowing streams. The Cooper Creek actually drains into the North Umpqua drainage, >> [music] >> which is pretty well famous for fly fishing and fishing in general for steelhead and other native fish. And if they get into that and establish [music] into that waterway, we have some serious concerns about impacting those habitats as well. [music] Evan Leonetti, Umpqua fish district biologist, says ODFW will continue monitoring Cooper Creek Reservoir [music] by electrofishing and disposing of the carp.

[00:02:37]He has notified the Sutherland Water District, which manages the reservoir, [music] and is reaching out to other agencies to determine next steps.

[00:02:44]He's also encouraging anglers who catch carp, [music] whether intentionally or incidentally, to keep and remove them from the reservoir. What do you think of them coming out here and zapping the carp? I like that idea.

[00:02:57]Cuz if they're an invasive species and they're, you know, eating all the habit or eating all the vegetation and everything that the bass [music] and the trout eat, then yeah, you've got to get rid of them.

[00:03:07]We have a an [music] area where we can dispose of them.

[00:03:10]We can put them in the gar in the in the garbage. Technically, [music] they're not a game fish, but they make good fertilizer for your garden or some people like to eat them. I'm not really familiar with a [music] lot of people that do that around here. It's a new species, but there seems to be a [music] contingent of people that really enjoy eating carp.

[00:03:27]Leonetti asks anglers that catch a carp to report the location where it was caught, a rough measurement of its size and weight, and if possible, [music] to send him pictures.

[00:03:37]We'll include links to his email address in the web version of this story. I think [music] the most likely explanation is is somebody brought them here, which is always something that I think I want to get the [music] word out to people before they do something like that. Not only is it against the law, but it can have really large impacts [music] on the ecosystem.

[00:03:55]So, really appreciate if people don't do that. Um and then [music] but if you do find one like the angler that reported to us, please let us know. There are a lot of invasive species threatening Oregon. Things like New Zealand mud snails, golden, quagga, and zebra mussels, and now carp in Cooper Creek Reservoir.

[00:04:13]>> [music] >> Places where they don't belong.

[00:04:16]Please take a stand against these invaders by not moving live fish from one water body to another. [music] From the Umpqua River Drainage, I'm Brooks Snavely for The Great Outdoors.

[00:04:28]>> [music]