If you are considering taking on a “side hustle” and happen to be skilled in fishing, why not grab your fishing rod and try your luck? In many states across the United States, you can earn a substantial amount of money – even up to six figures – based on your exceptional fishing skills.
Along the Mississippi River and its tributaries in multiple states, the Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has been placed on a wanted list. Originally from freshwater areas in China and East Asia, Black Carp was introduced to the United States in the 1970s to control snails and parasites in aquaculture farms. However, due to its rapid reproduction and large appetite, it disrupts the local food chain and threatens the habitat of native fish species. While it is commonly consumed in Asia, eating Black Carp in the United States is not encouraged due to policies aimed at prevention and parasite risks.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources sponsors the “Keep, Cool, Call” program, offering $100 for each Black Carp caught in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, with a maximum of $1,000 per angler per month. The program encompasses states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Anglers are required to humanely kill the fish, refrigerate it, record the capture location, aquatic environment, take photos, note fishing equipment and bait, and report to the local authorities. It is illegal to carry live carp.
The “Great Carp Hunt” in Utah targets the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Originating from the Eurasian continent, Common Carp was introduced to North America in the 19th century for food and ornamental purposes, but it is considered an invasive species that destroys aquatic plants and impacts native fish. While it is a common food fish in Asia and Europe, its earthy taste and texture are not appreciated in the United States.
The competition runs until November with a maximum of 5 team members and bi-monthly fishing days. Catching a Carp earns a chance to enter a $1,000 monthly drawing, while the team with the most catches per month receives fishing gear prizes, and the team with the highest total catch for the year can win $10,000. About 3,500 Carp have been caught this year.
In Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, the Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Program targets the Northern Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis), an overpopulated native fish species that consumes large amounts of salmon and rainbow trout juveniles, impacting the recovery of migratory fish species.
The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission has launched the program since 1990 to remove larger and older Pikeminnow from the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Each Pikeminnow at least 9 inches long can fetch $6 to $10; if a tag implanted in a juvenile salmon is found inside the caught Pikeminnow, the reward can reach $200 or $500. Pikeminnow have many small bones and are not favored in the market.
In 2024, a fisherman won over $164,000 in prizes. The top 20 fishermen caught an average of 4,677 fish, earning an average of about $47,286 per person.
Regardless of whether catching invasive or high-risk native fish species can earn rewards, anglers should first confirm their reporting obligations and procedures with the local wildlife department.
(Reference: Nexstar)