LAKE REPORT: Don't forget about the grass carp

This year we have discussed extensively bass, bream, crappie and catfish, and you have seen many pictures of proud anglers displaying their catch of these species.

One fish which is popular with some anglers but doesn’t receive as much recognition is grass carp.

It is not uncommon for grass carp to be confused with our native common carp found in most rivers in the South. Big John Foshee educated me on the difference in the two species. Not only do they have different diets, when placed side by side there are very few similarities in appearance.

Grass carp are not native to the United States. They are cultivated for food in China and were introduced in the United States in 1963 for aquatic weed control. In an attempt to alleviate the negative stigma of the name “carp”, in the United States the fish is also known as White Amur. The name derives from the Amur River, where the species is native, located on the Siberia-China border.

The taste of the two species is also much different. I have tried both fish and believe you me there is no comparison. I attempted to eat a common carp on the banks of the Chattahoochee one evening. The more I chewed, the bigger it got and little bones were sticking out everywhere. A pack of crackers and a can of sardines ended up being my supper.

Mark Anderson caught a 15-pound Amur from the lake, went home and smoked it and brought me a plate. I was hesitant to try it after my experience with the common carp, but didn’t want to hurt his feelings. It actually had a good taste.

Now I wouldn’t pass up a hand-sized bream or a catfish fillet for it, but it wasn’t bad.

Can you imagine how many people the Amur in the picture with this article would feed? It’s in the lake, John Henry released it.

We don’t mind anglers taking a White Amur home to eat, but we do request, if they are not going to eat it, please release it immediately. The lake record Amur or grass carp, whichever you prefer, is 52 pounds.

It is not uncommon for John Henry Ragland, Big John Foshee and John Foshee Sr. to catch and release several of these lake monsters a day.

Do your research on fishing for these big boys and come out and try it.

LAKE HOURS: Sunrise to sunset, closed Monday and Tuesday

AMENTITIES: Boat rental, cabins, fishing pier with feeder, boat ramp, restrooms and bait house.

OPEN LABOR DAY: We will be open for your convenience

NIGHT FISHING: Every Wednesday night until 10 p.m.

KING CAT TOURNAMENT: Win a boat through Sept. 30

WATER LEVEL: 4 inches low

VISIBILITY: 22 inches

WATER TEMPERATURE: 85 degrees at 2 feet

Fishing Report
Crappie have been real slow. Some nice bass have been caught early and late but are not consistent. Bream and catfish remain steady; maybe not as good as last week but fairly consistent.

Dwight Lake is lake manager of Lee County State Lake and Bait House. He can be reached at 749-1275.