Two New Invaders Found In AZ Lakes

In the light of two more discoveries of invasive species in Arizona lakes – gizzard shad in Roosevelt Lake and bighead carp in Kennedy – Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists are pleading for the public to help prevent such invasions from continuing and causing fishing conditions to suffer.

Gizzard shad were discovered in Roosevelt Lake during a recent fish survey of the lake. A bighead carp in Kennedy Lake in Tucson was caught by an angler. These two discoveries come on the heels of finding invasive quagga mussels in the Colorado River system of lakes from Mead to Havasu.
Please take these simple precautions:

• Drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine.
• Inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any hitchhiking vegetation or critters.
• Do not reuse bait once it has been in the water. Remember: Don’t dump your bait bucket in the lake.

Wash your boat, trailer and other equipment once you get home. High-pressure washers, such as those found at do-it-yourself car washes, can be effective at washing boat hulls and trailers.