Flying Fish on Illinois River

The Flying Carp of the Illinois River. These are a Chinese Grass Carp (or something like that) that are now loose in the Illinois River. A classic case of someone bringing in an exoctic that escaped and is threatening an ecosystem.

This was taken just down river from starved Rock State Park. The bridge in the background is the one that goes from starved Rock to Utica.

Friends told me about them and took me upriver on their boat. When you hit certain speeds around them the "boil" the water. Jump over your boat, jump in your boat. Just go crazy. Some go 8-10 feet in the air.

It is a show to say the least.

I can say there are alot of figh in the air here. On the large file size I easily count over 50 fish airborne.

Nice shot of a growing problem.

Nice "catch" Darren. These fish are a real nuisance and dangerous to boot! Last year, I got knocked out of a boat while fishing. Others not so fortunate have suffered broken limbs as well as bruises caused by 10-15 lb. fish jumping into boats traveling at speed. Thanks for sharing.

This image is a great way to show just how much of a problem these Carp are....excellent perspective!

I've seen these on tv. Must really be something to see in person.

Yes, they are something to see and if you are in the wrong spot of the boat, you get better than a 3D view.

My fear is by the time they go to do something it is way too late. I bet they have decimated the native fish population.

There was a long article in the New York Times last summer about this very issue--an Asian carp species that was gaining a stranglehold over the Illinois River fish population--and what the state DNR was already doing about it.

Fascinating shot.