Since their entry into the lower Mississippi River 50 years ago, invasive carp multiplied rapidly and gradually spread into several major tributaries. Because of their voracious feeding habits, prolific reproduction and lack of predators, invasive carp eventually became abundant in the Illinois River and other areas surrounding the Great Lakes basin. The Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee is made up of 26 organizations in the United States and Canada leveraging our expertise and resources to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive carp.
News
2025 annual update on targeted mass removal of invasive carp from the Illinois River
The State of Illinois’ invasive carp management program is on the cusp of a major milestone, nearly reaching the 50-million-pound mark for invasive carp removed from the Illinois River over the last 15 years. A total of more than 7 million pounds were removed in 2025 through two separate but complementary invasive carp mass removal projects.
Black carp bounty program expands to cover Mississippi River basin waters
In an effort to learn more about invasive black carp, state and federal fisheries partners are expanding the scope of a bounty program to more broadly engage commercial fishers in providing black carp for research.
No bighead or silver carp found during intensive monitoring in Chicago Area Waterway System
No bighead or silver carp were captured or observed in the Chicago Area Waterway System during the Fall Seasonal Intensive Monitoring effort involving two weeks of intensive sampling in late September and early October 2025.
2025 mid-year update on targeted mass removal of invasive carp from the Illinois River
Two separate but complementary invasive carp mass removal projects on the Illinois River – amounting to nearly 46 million pounds removed to date – are on track to meet or exceed the goals set in the 2025 Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee Action Plan.
No invasive carp found during intensive monitoring in Chicago Area Waterway System
No bighead or silver carp were captured or observed in the Chicago Area Waterway System during the Spring Seasonal Intensive Monitoring effort involving two weeks of intensive sampling in late May 2025.
No bighead or silver carp captured during 2024 Seasonal Intensive Monitoring
No bighead or silver carp were captured or observed in the Chicago Area Waterway System during the Fall Seasonal Intensive Monitoring effort involving two weeks of intensive sampling in early October 2024.
Dead invasive silver carp removed from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee today announced the removal of a dead invasive silver carp from the Lockport Pool in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
Army Corps, Illinois, and Michigan sign agreement to move Brandon Road Interbasin Project forward and unlock Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for construction
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, and the states of Illinois and Michigan signed a project partnership agreement for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, moving the project forward into construction phase.
More than $47 million for 45 projects announced for the ongoing battle against invasive carp in the Great Lakes basin
To support the ongoing battle to reduce the destructiveness of invasive carp and the threats they pose to the Great Lakes, the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee today announced the release of its annual Invasive Carp Action Plan for 2024.