Biological Technician, Eric Snyder, measuring a buffalo captured at Sandusky Bay. (Photo: Mike Goehle)

Staff from the Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office (LGLFRO) conducted a three day survey of Lake Erie from August 12-14, 2008.  Using the large Smith-Root electrofishing boat, surveys were performed in Sandusky Bay in Sandusky, OH and at the mouth of the Maumee River in Toledo.  No Asian carp were collected or observed.  The objective of the survey was to perform early detection monitoring for Asian carp (bighead and silver) in the western basin, where individual bighead carp were reported in 2000 and 2002.  While no evidence of natural reproduction has been reported, the confirmed collections of adult fish (as well as occasional unconfirmed reports) since 2000 raises questions as to the true status of bighead carp in the lake.