Grass Carp Released in Heckscher Pond

This story was posted by Pam Robinson. It was written by Leah Bush.

Thirty-six grass carp were released into Heckscher Park pond on Monday, part of an effort to control submerged vegetation growth that had severely impaired recreational use of the pond by remote-controlled model boat enthusiasts.

The carp, which can grow to almost four feet in length and weigh more than 40 pounds, eat up to three times their body weight daily of higher aquatic plants and submerged terrestrial vegetation. They live an average of five to nine years.

The Town of Huntington began looking into grass carp when Ron Lange, vice commodore of the Heckscher Model Yacht Club, described at a Town Board meeting difficulties the club’s members had been having with their remote-controlled model boats getting stuck on vegetation growing in the pond.

Lange said other communities had success in reducing unwanted vegetation by introducing the grass carp. Town Supervisor Frank Petrone subsequently met with members of the club and directed the Town’s Maritime Services Department to research the proposal.

After consultation with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Town Board voted to install a fiberglass fish barrier at the Heckscher Park spillway to contain the grass carp. The barrier was installed a few months ago. The Town then ordered 36 of the fish, determining the amount by following the state-recommended 10 fish per acre of pond.

“This is a natural solution to a problem that had been preventing full enjoyment of the pond, one of Heckscher Park’s major attractions,” Petrone said. “I appreciate the Heckscher Model Yacht Club bringing the issue, and a solution, to our attention.”

“Families enjoy taking their children to watch the remote-controlled boats navigate the pond,” Councilwoman Susan Berland said. “I am pleased that the Town could help keep the tradition of the Model Yacht Club afloat and address this problem in such a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.”

Lange and other members of the model yacht club joined Petrone and Berland in observing the release of the grass carp into the pond.

Fishing is currently prohibited at Heckscher Park pond.