SARTELL -- An exotic species of carp not found in this part of Minnesota was caught in the Mississippi River by a bow-fisherman.

The DNR says the angler shot a 25-pound Grass Carp north of the Sartell dam last week.

Nick Frohnauer is a DNR Invasive Fish and River Habitat Coordinator. He says it is likely an isolated incident.  He says they believe the fish couldn't have gotten past the dams in Coon Rapids, St. Cloud and Sartell so it likely escaped a flooded pond or was released intentionally.

Grass carp previously have been found in southeastern Minnesota, but they are not known to reproduce in Minnesota. A preliminary examination of the 36-inch female Grass Carp found what appeared to be viable eggs.

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