Page 33 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

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A boy practices bowfishing while attending a past Wildlife Expo.
non-native invasive species such as common carp, Asian aquatic vegetation, compete with invasive species, and
carps, and grass carp. recycle nutrients. Gars, for example, provide checks on
Studies nationwide have shown that the non-native spe- overpopulation growth of other nongame or invasive
cies, although edible, have typically seriously disrupted fishes. Although often perceived by sport anglers and
the balance of fish communities and ecology in invaded bowfishers as abundant nuisances, gars are top preda-
waters (including in Oklahoma) to the
detriment of native species and peo-
ple. To fisheries managers and recre- USGS
ational anglers, their poor reputation
is understandable.
Native species paint a different
picture. Even though the wanton
eradication of the nongame fishes
was advocated by many state wild-
life agencies for decades under the
assumption that it benefited game
fishes, modern scientific studies
have shown that species such as buf-
falofishes and gars play important,
positive roles that add to the healthy
ecosystems supporting vibrant game
fish populations and sport fisheries.
Native, nongame fishes also serve
as valuable forage for predator game A U.S. Geological Survey employee holds a bighead carp, which is a non-native
fishes, limit the excessive growth of invasive in Oklahoma.
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