Carp at McNary Refuge’s Curlew Pond to be poisoned

Dead carp may litter Curlew Pond at the McNary National Widlife Refuge for the next two to three months.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to treat the pond Wednesday with rotenone, a chemical which only affects fish. It dissipates quickly and the water is safe for people, dogs and other wildlife, the agency said.

Hunting could be affected this year, but in the long run the carp control project should dramatically increase the number of waterfowl using the pond, said Lamont Glass, the refuge manager.

“Without carp, aquatic vegetation will grow back, and ducks, geese and swans will have a dependable food supply,” he said.

There also should be some good opportunities for viewing birds at Curlew Pond for the next couple of months. The dead carp should attract birds, including gulls and bald eagles, that otherwise would have to hunt for fish.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Carp at McNary Refuge’s Curlew Pond to be poisoned."