Kentucky Fish and Wildlife discusses carp incentive increase

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Federal dollars are coming to Kentucky, and the funds will help protect native fish and wildlife across the state.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife announced an increase in the commercial fishing incentive for harvesting invasive carp, from 10 cents to 15 cents per pound.

While the increase may sound small, the impact is significant.

In 2024 alone, more than 15 million pounds of invasive carp were harvested in Kentucky.

Officials say controlling the species is critical, as invasive carp can quickly spread and threaten waterways not only in Kentucky but in neighboring states as well.

Joshua Tompkins, fishery program coordinator, says, “So those species of black carp are a concern, if they get in and increase in numbers to be predated on the native species and decrease in biodiversity throughout our systems. We’re using these adaptive approaches by increasing the subsidy in Kentucky reservoirs here in Kentucky, that’s really the gateway to a lot of other, very biologically diverse areas.”

If you are interested in the incentive program, you will need a commercial fishing license. For more information, visit Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website.