Kentucky Experimentally Deploys Seine Nets to Combat Asian Carp Invasion

Nashville, TN, September 6, 2026 — An experimental initiative is underway in western Kentucky to address the growing population of invasive Asian carp. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is facilitating this program, which allows commercial fishermen to employ modified, large seine nets.

These specialized nets are designed to capture substantial quantities of Asian carp. Reports indicate that the methods are yielding tens of thousands of pounds of the invasive fish on a daily basis. This approach targets areas such as Barkley Dam, a region known to be affected by the proliferation of Asian carp.

The use of large seine nets in this capacity represents a deviation from standard fishing regulations, which typically prohibit such methods. However, the KDFWR’s experimental program has deemed these nets effective in the effort to control the invasive species’ numbers. Commercial fishermen involved in the project are harvesting significant amounts of carp, contributing to population management efforts.

One such fisherman participating in the program is Wade Robbins. His involvement highlights the practical application of these experimental techniques in combating the ecological challenges posed by invasive species. The success of this experimental phase could inform future strategies for managing Asian carp populations in Kentucky waters and potentially beyond.

The specific duration of the experimental program and any future plans for its continuation or wider implementation were not detailed in the information provided. Similarly, the exact weight of fish harvested daily, beyond the general description of ‘tens of thousands of pounds,’ was not specified.

Story summarized from the original created by Tony Gonzalez on wpln.org, see more information here.

Media gallery