Welcome to the GESL Selective Fishing - Alberta Canada - Prussian Carp Test
Table of Data Collected during the Project.
The first test site at the Eastern Irrigation District spillway discharge to Lake Newell at Brooks Alberta is now functional. Updates to follow.
2026 May; Image of Undergrade students hired for this summers Project of Selective Removal of Prussian Carp at Lake Newell, AB training with the boats RT1310 Trap "Stubby" and utility boat "Little Mia".
Up front driving "Stubby" Aurora Baxter - Communications coordinator
Driving "Little Mia" Avery Kaczynski - Lab Lead
Up front driving "Stubby" Aurora Baxter - Communications coordinator
Driving "Little Mia" Avery Kaczynski - Lab Lead
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Genesis Environmental Services Ltd has teamed up with the Medicine Hat College and C4i to conduct a project aimed to contain one of Alberta’s most aggressive aquatic invaders: the Prussian Carp. Working from so far the open water of Lake Newell and Blood Indian Creek Reservoir our team is putting the patented RiverTrap™ selective fishing system to the test, exploring whether it can safely and effectively remove this invasive species without harming the native species that share the lake. A growing problem, far beyond Brooks Prussian Carp was released in the Eastern Irrigation District (EID) and has multiplied at an exponential rate. They have already spread north to Edmonton and east into Saskatchewan, and they are now threatening to slip into the USA irrigation system, a route that will eventually carry them to the Mississippi River. Why are they such a problem? What makes Prussian carp such a successful invader isn’t just their appetite. Female reproduces through a remarkable process called Gynogenesis, using the sperm (but not the DNA) from other fish species to simply trigger egg development. The result? All-female offspring that are genetic clones of their mother. One fish can effectively become a population. What are we going to do with the Prussian Carp we find? Our team aims to deploy the RiverTrap™ and measure it’s catch performance, and study what we pull from the water: age, size, fecundity, and what those numbers mean for slowing the spread. _____________________________________________________________________________ |
From the Left: Avery Kaczynski, Aurora Baxter, Allison Campbell, Coen Ryckman
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Get To Know This Summers Crew Allison Campbell (Academic Supervisor) – Our Professional Biologist, has a Bachelor of Environmental Science and a Master of Science – Biology from the UofL. Aurora Baxter (Communication Coordinator) – Full-time Student Intern, currently getting a diploma in Environmental Science at the Medicine Hat College and has goals to gain a Master’s in Environmental Science. Avery Kaczynski (Lab Lead) – Full-time Student Intern, just recently completed diploma in Environmental Biology and Reclamation Technology. Plans to continue her studies in the fall to gain a Bachelors of Ecosystem Management with a focus in fish and wildlife, and has goals to gain a Master’s in Environmental Science. Coen Ryckman (Field Operator) – Full-time Student Intern, In the University Transfer program at the Medicine Hat College, going to the University of Alberta to finish their Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology. |
Training
April 22nd -May 11th, 2026
The crew underwent training for field operations which included safety protocols, and boat training. They got to know the type of boats and nets planned to be used during the project. The crew also learned certain knots used to keep the boats secure and how to install anchor poles into the bank of the lake, as well as how to setup the nets needed for our RT1310 boat* “Stubby” to be fully operational.
*To read more about our RiverTrap ™ (RT1310 boat) click on the “Selective Fishing Research” tab*
April 22nd -May 11th, 2026
The crew underwent training for field operations which included safety protocols, and boat training. They got to know the type of boats and nets planned to be used during the project. The crew also learned certain knots used to keep the boats secure and how to install anchor poles into the bank of the lake, as well as how to setup the nets needed for our RT1310 boat* “Stubby” to be fully operational.
*To read more about our RiverTrap ™ (RT1310 boat) click on the “Selective Fishing Research” tab*
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Left Photo: Avery Kaczynski (left) and Coen Ryckman (right) preparing the containment net to go out to the water.
Right Photo: Crew practicing installing anchor poles into water body
Photos: Aurora Baxter
Right Photo: Crew practicing installing anchor poles into water body
Photos: Aurora Baxter
First location: Lake Newell Resort Near Brooks, Alberta
May 12th – June 2nd, 2026
On May 12th Our team anchored “Stubby” at the first chosen location at the Lake Newell, near Brooks, Alberta at the outlet. “Stubby” became operational on May 13th for efficiency testing and proof of concept.
May 12th – June 2nd, 2026
On May 12th Our team anchored “Stubby” at the first chosen location at the Lake Newell, near Brooks, Alberta at the outlet. “Stubby” became operational on May 13th for efficiency testing and proof of concept.
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Photos: Both of “Stubby” at first location at Lake Newell Alberta
Photos: Aurora Baxter
Photos: Aurora Baxter
After the 13th, the team would check the containment net for Prussian Carp (PC) every day excluding the weekends. While there were no live Prussian Carp in the containment net, two large dead PC were found near the wing nets.
Although live PC were not obtained at this location, approximately 313 Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis) were caught and disposed of. While native to parts of Alberta, their historical range was limited to the Beaver River watershed. They have since spread across the province and are now considered an aquatic invasive species of concern under provincial regulations.
Despite restrictions on transporting live crayfish, they have been unintentionally introduced to new areas, often through use as bait. As highly adaptable omnivores, they can significantly alter aquatic ecosystems and food web.
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Left image: Dead PC found in the water. Right image: Female Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis)
Photos: Aurora Baxter
Photos: Aurora Baxter
As the days flew by the team became more efficient in the daily tasks required when checking on “Stubby.” The amount of time it would take to complete all tasks became less and the team was able make the trap net more efficient eliminating the number of supplies needed to be brought back and forth.
Map made by Avery Kaczynski on QGIS show casing the first location (1) and second location (2) “Stubby” was stationed at Lake Newell AB.
Second location: Lake Newell Resort Near Brooks, Alberta
June 4th - June 22nd, 2026
Due to the inactivity at the first location the team decided to move to a different location at Lake Newell to see if they would get better results. After about three weeks with no PC in sight the team took “Stubby” out of Lake Newell and prepared to move “Stubby” to Blood Indian Creek Reservoir but before that “Stubby” made a showcase at the Crop Diversification Centre (CDC). See details in the next post.
June 4th - June 22nd, 2026
Due to the inactivity at the first location the team decided to move to a different location at Lake Newell to see if they would get better results. After about three weeks with no PC in sight the team took “Stubby” out of Lake Newell and prepared to move “Stubby” to Blood Indian Creek Reservoir but before that “Stubby” made a showcase at the Crop Diversification Centre (CDC). See details in the next post.
Photo of “Stubby” in second location at Lake Newell Alberta
Photo: Aurora Baxter
Photo: Aurora Baxter
Crop Diversification Centre Newell Agricultural Summit
June 18th, 2026
The Prussian Carp Project team attended and presented at the CDC Newell Ag Summit at the MHC Brooks Campus, with tours hosted at the Crop Diversification Centre.
The team connected with researchers, institutions, and industry partners from across Canada, sharing the project’s real-world applications and building new relationships. The Team represented the project, with enthusiasm and expertise.
A live simulation of the RiverTrap ™ System, “Stubby,” highlighted its versatility. While currently used as a selective fishing trap, the system also has applications in environmental monitoring, search and rescue, wildfire response, and spill management.
June 18th, 2026
The Prussian Carp Project team attended and presented at the CDC Newell Ag Summit at the MHC Brooks Campus, with tours hosted at the Crop Diversification Centre.
The team connected with researchers, institutions, and industry partners from across Canada, sharing the project’s real-world applications and building new relationships. The Team represented the project, with enthusiasm and expertise.
A live simulation of the RiverTrap ™ System, “Stubby,” highlighted its versatility. While currently used as a selective fishing trap, the system also has applications in environmental monitoring, search and rescue, wildfire response, and spill management.
Photo of Simulation setup at the CDC Newell Ag Summit showing the support boat “Little Mia” (left), trap nets connected to the RiverTrap system “Stubby” (center), and a davit crane system (right).
Photo: Allison Campbell, MSc, P.Biol.
Photo: Allison Campbell, MSc, P.Biol.
On the Move: Blood Indian Creek Reservoir Park & Campground
June 23rd, 2026 - Present
The Carp team has moved to Blood Indian Creek Reservoir, due for unforeseen circumstance we had to keep “Stubby” on standby until July 13th. Fortunately, the team got results immediately and have collected 91 PC thus far.
June 23rd, 2026 - Present
The Carp team has moved to Blood Indian Creek Reservoir, due for unforeseen circumstance we had to keep “Stubby” on standby until July 13th. Fortunately, the team got results immediately and have collected 91 PC thus far.
Taking “Stubby” to the new location on Blood Indian Creek Reservoir. Peter Krahn, CEO & Owner of Genesis Environmental Services Ltd (left), Coen Ryckman (Center), UT Science Student and C4i intern, Allison Campbell MSc.,P.Biol (right), project biologist
Photo: Aurora Baxter
Photo: Aurora Baxter
Third Location: Blood Indian Creek Reservoir Park & Campground
June 23rd, 2026 - Present
When choosing a new location the team surveyed Blood Indian Creek Reservoir (BICR) with a depth sounder to find a location with high population of fish to give the team better odds in catching any PC. Based on the survey the team choose the location shown below to set up "Stubby."
June 23rd, 2026 - Present
When choosing a new location the team surveyed Blood Indian Creek Reservoir (BICR) with a depth sounder to find a location with high population of fish to give the team better odds in catching any PC. Based on the survey the team choose the location shown below to set up "Stubby."
Map made by Avery Kaczynski on QGIS show casing where "Stubby" has been set up at Blood Indian Creek Reservoir
