Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

This project examines microchemical signatures of otolith cores from invasive bigheaded carp to determine whether their natal origin was upstream or downstream of Lock and Dam #19, a partial dispersal barrier, in the Upper Mississippi River and whether yearclass strength is associated with environmental variables. This information is key for managing carp populations near the leading edge of the invasion in the Mississippi River.