The Harrisons Bay Association (HBA) is inviting Westonka residents and friends to join in its second annual CARPFest, a community event dedicated to raising awareness about carp overpopulation and its impact on local waterways. The concert on the bay will take place on Saturday, June 15, starting at 2 p.m.
CARPFest 2024 promises an afternoon filled with great local music, featuring performances by talented musicians Benny James starting at 2 p.m., Sweet Briar about 3 p.m., and The Abiders around 4:15 p.m.
There are two options to enjoy the music: join by boat and anchor at the west end of the bay, or arrive by foot, bike, or other means to Sherwood Drive and follow the signs to the festivities.
According to event organizers, attendees coming by land are encouraged to bring their own beverages, snacks, and seating—whether blankets or folding chairs—to make the most of the day with friends and neighbors.
Since its inception in 2021, HBA has been at the forefront of efforts to understand and manage the carp population in Harrisons Bay, as well as the West Arm and Jennings bays. Partnering with organizations such as the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD), the University of Minnesota Invasive Species Research Center, local watershed districts, and Carp Solutions, the association has made significant strides in research and conservation.
Last year’s CARPFest, along with generous donations to the HBA Carp Fund, has played a crucial role in advancing these efforts, according to HBA leaders. In 2022, HBA, working with the University of Minnesota and Carp Solutions, tagged 167 carp to track their movements. This project continued in 2023 with an additional 142 carp tagged, allowing researchers to gather valuable data over two full seasons.
The research revealed a troubling overpopulation of carp in Harrisons Bay, with an estimated 10,000-plus carp in the bay and the oldest confirmed at 62 years old. Each mature adult carp can produce over one million eggs in each spawning event, leading to a significant impact on water quality and native species. Currently, Harrisons Bay has a carp population density of 436 kilograms/acre, which is more than four times the healthy population density. This overpopulation stirs up phosphorus deposits from the lake bottom, driving unhealthy blue-green algae blooms and affecting the health of native fish, plant, and wildlife species.
Reducing the carp population is essential for improving water quality and restoring the native habitat. Following the population assessment, the HBA will be working with partners on a plan to reduce and manage carp populations to a healthier level. The association also will partner with the Minnesota bowfishing community and the LMCD to pilot an expansion of the bowfishing regulations to allow for safe, effective and low/no cost harvest of carp across affected waterways on our side of the lake. In addition, HBA will continue to build its partnership with Two Mikes (www.twomikes.net ) as an outlet for harvested carp that go into their 100 percent natural Green Fin plant care products.
CARPFest aims to bring the community together for a fun day while highlighting the importance of these conservation efforts. It’s also an opportunity to learn how residents can contribute to the ongoing strategy to manage the carp population and support a healthier bay.
Residents interested in joining HBA can visit its website at harrisonsbay.org or check out the organization’s Facebook page. Donations to support HBA’s conservation efforts are greatly appreciated and can also be made through the website. There is no minimum donation suggested, according to organizers. Anything helps as the HBA works to improve water quality and health of the bay.
Come out and enjoy an afternoon of music and fun at CARPFest 2024, and be part of the mission to preserve the beauty and health of Harrisons Bay for generations to come.
Most Popular
Comments / 0