Lake Calumet targeted in Asian carp search

In the battle to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, a smaller inland lake in the Chicago area is getting special attention this week.

There have been three consecutive findings of Asian carp DNA in Lake Calumet, which connects to Lake Michigan. Federal and state officials say that doesn’t necessarily mean live carp are in Lake Calumet, but this week, there are more commercial fishing crews, electrofishing boats, and half-mile long nets in the lake, trying to come up with carp. John Rogner of the Asian carp regional coordinating committee says if a substantial number of the invasive fish are found, additional steps are planned.

During a two-hour public meeting Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers said it’s still reviewing orders from congress to speed work on a study that could lead to physically separating the Great Lakes from the Mississippi river system, where Asian carp are abundant.