Nearly 2,000 more grass carp released in Lake Austin to combat hydrilla
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department announced Friday the release of 1,955 sterile grass carp into Lake Austin. The move comes after the release 350 carp earlier this year, bringing the total number of new carp to 2,300.
The city released the new batch on Wednesday at two locations: Quinlan Park and the Loop 360 Boat Ramp beneath the Pennybacker Bridge.
The city said due to the size of the fish, nets had to be used to move the fish from the transport trucks and into the lake. Typically, a fish release involves pumping fish through a chute into the water.
The move follows a resurgence of hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant, in the lake. Crass carp primarily eat hydrilla, which some claim is dangerous to swimmers and boaters.
“What studies have shown is that as long as there is hydrilla present, they will kind of focus on that resource, allowing other plants to persist and thrive,” said Dr. Brent Bellinger, conservation program supervisor with the city’s Watershed Protection Department.
Past releases of sterile grass carp in the early 2000s led to ecological devastation on Lake Austin. Between 2012 and 2013, the city stocked 3,000 to 9,000 carp per event. This led to aquatic plant life being wiped out in Lake Austin once hydrilla was consumed.
This summer, only 5% of the lake had hydrilla in it. By early fall, around 38% of the lake had hydrilla. The city of Austin said warmer temperatures and sediment dumped into the lake after the July Fourth floods were responsible for the bloom.
Business owners have requested a drawdown of the lake this winter. Groups like Friends of Lake Austin said a drawdown would help kill off hydrilla and give them a chance to perform maintenance on their docks.
Fisherman from across the nation have pushed back. They said after the increase in hydrilla, bass are now plentiful.
Lake Austin is a popular bass fishing spot that, fisherman say, once held record-breaking bass. Justin Rackley, a popular fishing influencer, said after the hydrilla resurgence, fishing has thrived.
“I saw one of the healthiest bass I’ve ever seen, actually, one of those that you can just imagine it being long, and it’s going to be like a state record,” Rackley said about their haul.
Fisherman worry that adding more carp will devastate their business.
“Guys like me who make a living out here won’t be able to make a living anymore because the fishing is going to be horrible,” said Grant Langmore, a local fishing tour guide.
