The invasive Asian carp fish continues to migrate toward Wisconsin. Some fear it could soon enter the Great Lakes system through Chicago, if it hasn’t already.

Online video from Indiana shows Asian carp relentlessly flying through the air, but for anglers on the Winnebago system Asian carp is no laughing matter.

Matt Schmaltz is a former Navy sailor who’s seen Asian carp firsthand.

“I got hit right in the side of the head. I got thrown from the front to the back of the boat,” he said.

He says the Asian carp species could severely damage Lake Winnebago and its tributaries.

“It’s a very serious matter. You take your boat out with your small children like I got mine with me now, and you have Asian carp jumping, you could seriously injure one of your kids,” Schmaltz said.

Biologists say this flying fish not only causes safety concerns for humans but it can dominate the food supply in a habitat, killing off other fish that depend on it.

“If Asian carp get established in the Green Bay or Lake Winnebago area or both, it would totally disrupt the fish community and the major fish species people like to go after like perch and walleye,” DNR fisheries supervisor Ron Bruch said.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says there are two ways that Asian carp could come to this area: One is by natural migration, the other is by humans bringing them here.

So far, two species of Asian carp — the bighead and silver carp — have been found along the Mississippi and St. Croix river systems.

Bruch, a fish species specialist, says there are no recorded Asian carp in Northeast Wisconsin, but without strict precautions, he says, they could be here soon.

“The pathway for Asian carp to get here will likely be they get into Lake Michigan and find a way to Green Bay, and from Green Bay they find their way to Winnebago. So if they can stop them down there that might help things a lot and prevent them from coming up here,” Bruch said.

The DNR is concerned that fisherman might bring the invasive species up to Northeast Wisconsin.

Schmaltz agrees, “My big concern is people bringing the wrong bait in to the lake and introducing the wrong species.”

For that, the DNR always recommends buying from a licensed bait dealer.

Anglers like Schmaltz hope the DNR sets the hook on this invasive species before it’s too late.

Lake News: Winnebago System Waits, Watches for Asian Carp Invasion.

via Man found dead in boat identified | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com.

The body of a 60-year-old man was found with his upper torso and head submerged in the water at Lang’s Landing on Lake Winneconne in Winneconne at approximately 6:20 a.m. Saturday, according to Winneconne Police Department and the Winnebago County Coroner.

The cause of death is still unknown, according to the coroner, although both the police and coroner said the death does not appear to have been a result of foul play.

The Winnebago County Dive team also responded to the incident.

The name of the man is being withheld at this time.

Man found dead at Lake Winneconne boat landing | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Dogs and small children are the ones most likely to get sick from ingesting algae blooms.

The hot, humid weather experienced around Lake Winnebago has created ideal condition for blue-green algae blooms.

That algae can produce a harmful toxin and it can be fatal in human beings. It’s also smells bad, rotten eggs.

Symptoms are said to be eye, ear and skin irritation, to vomiting and diarrhea.

Children are more susceptible than adults because they are more likely to transfer things from their hands to their mouths.

Lake News: Blue-green algae bloom warning for Lake Winnebago.