Illinois Launches Black Carp Bounty—$100 Per Fish
If you fish for fun, food, or just for peace and quiet, your next cast could pay off in a surprising way.
Anglers in Illinois, and 26 other states, can now earn up to $1,000 a month for helping stop an invasive species that’s wreaking havoc on our waterways:
The black carp.
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These bottom-feeders aren’t just ugly. They chow down on native mussels and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, putting native fish, recreational opportunities, and even local economies at risk. That’s why the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering $100 per black carp through a program called Keep, Cool, Call, designed to track and reduce their spread across the Mississippi River basin.
How to Earn $100 for Every Black Carp You Catch in Illinois
Here’s how it works:
- Catch a black carp using hook and line, bowfishing, or other legal methods
- Take clear photos of the fish’s head, mouth, and total length
- Note the location and water conditions
- Humanely kill it (possession of live invasive carp is illegal), then freeze it
- Submit your catch to your state’s resource contact
You can earn up to 10 rewards per month, that’s $1,000 just for doing what you already love.
READ MORE: Record For Most Fish Caught In 24 Hours Set In Illinois
Full List of Eligible States and Program Details
This bounty program includes anglers in 27 states across the Mississippi River Basin, from Illinois and Wisconsin to Texas and Alabama.
Get full program details and a list of contacts here:
Keep, Cool, Call PDF
Help protect Illinois waterways... one ugly fish at a time.
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