These 9 Fish Don’t Belong in Minnesota… Yet Here They Are

With over 10,000 lakes, invasive aquatic wildlife has always been a big concern for the Minnesota DNR. Invasive fish can have devastating effects on Minnesota waterways, both environmentally and economically.

Many of these fish were brought here by accident, although some found there way into Minnesota lakes purposefully, leading to, in some cases, irreversible consequences.

Here's a look at nine of the most invasive fish species in the entire state. How they got here and what is being done to remove them altogether.

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1-5: All Kinds of Carp

Believe it or not, carp aren't native to the North Star State. In fact, Minnesota was likely devoid of carp entirely until the late 1800's, when the common carp was imported by the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. The Asian carp arrived in Minnesota in the 1970s, when certain species were used to improve water quality in wastewater treatment and retention ponds.

Types of Invasive Carp in Minnesota:

• Common
• Black Carp
• Bighead Carp
• Grass Carp
• Silver Carp

Invasive carp are considered harmful to the ecosystem of Minnesota for a variety of reasons, as they degrade water quality by stirring up sediment, destroy aquatic habitats by uprooting vital plants, and outcompete native fish for food.

6: Goldfish?

If you want to get technical about it, Goldfish are also carp, as they descend from an ancient carp in China.

Being one of America's most popular aquatic pets, it was probably always inevitable that Goldfish would end up in Minnesota's waterways. Perhaps you or someone you know released one into the wild for one reason or another. While this may seem as an innocent action, it can have absolutely devastating consequences on local ecosystems.

Goldfish living in the wild can have irreversible consequences on the habitat, like overpopulation (they breed quickly), worsening water quality, and even completely ruining local habitation.

7: Rudd Fish

The Rudd fish is native to the Caspian and Aral Sea regions of Eurasia and likely found its way into Minnesota lakes and rivers through a combination of factors, including bait bucket releases, escape from aquatic farms, and intentional introduction.

The Rudd isn't all that common in Minnesota, but like the other fish mentioned, it's effects can have devastating consequences. These include hybridizing with other fish, and disrupt habitat by dominating virtually every waterway it lives in.

8: Round Goby = The Worst of Them All?

Don't let their small size fool ya, these feisty fish can cause quite the ruckus. Not only are they masters at outcompeting native Minnesota fish for vital resources, but they also eat the eggs of many of their rivals and prey on their young. This can create significant problems for the native fish population, along with disrupting the food web and causes countless issues for local anglers.

The Round Goby is native to the Caspian & Black Sea of Eurasia and was first discovered in the St. Clair River area of Michigan in 1990. By the end of the decade it had made it to the shores of Duluth harbor along Lake Superior and has been a persistent nuisance ever since.

9: White Perch

Oddly enough, the White Perch isn't a Perch at all, but rather, comes from the Bass family.

Like the other fish mentioned, the White Perch can decimate native fish populations rather quickly, after being introduced to a new environment. The long-term effects of this fish threatens local ecosystems, along with the Minnesota commercial and sport fishing industries.

The White Perch is native to the Atlantic Costal Region and spread into Minnesota upon completion of the Eerie Canal, first traversing through the Great Lakes.

These are just a handful of the invasive fish found in Minnesota waters these days. To see a detailed list, check out this page from the Minnesota DNR.

To learn more about the devastating effect invasive fish can have on the ecosystem of Minnesota, check out the YouTube video below.

Story Sources: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Website