i live in florida and what does harvested exactly mean caught and released or kept or just caught?

I think the government concern about grass carp is their spread to areas they are not know to inhabit.  Since they are used for aquatic weed control and cost about 8 bucks for each small fish, be careful where you are fishing for them since the property owner may take exception to losing them.  They also do become too much of a load for many ponds after they get to larger sizes so some property owners may welcome the help in thinning them out.  

I love the idea of the cherry tomatoes.  Try a few blueberries too.  

I think the government concern about grass carp is their spread to areas they are not know to inhabit. - Which is???

HABITAT

Lakes, ponds, pools, and backwaters of large rivers. Prefers large, slow-moving or standing water bodies with vegetation.

BEHAVIOR

Usually stay in lower depths and are solitary in nature. They mature in lakes and migrate to rivers for reproduction.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Mainly feeds on aquatic plants and submerged land grasses; also takes detritus, insects, and other invertebrates.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Grass carps usually mature in the fourth year of life. Spawning occurs in late April and early May, when water temperatures reach 64.4°F (18°C), and with the onset of heavy floods. Mature fishes swim upstream. When the water level rises suddenly, males may chase females and push them. The females then lay eggs, and males release sperm. The eggs are semi-pelagic, floating with the currents. Incubation may take 3540 hours when temperature is 66.9270.16°F (19.421.2°C). Fecundity is 306,5781,162,920 eggs, depending on the size of the adult female.

a lot of hatcheries produce sterile carp.

Weren't the grass carps that are now invading the Mississippi river and its backwaters also supposed to be sterile ?

I hope you guys fix that big problem. I personally think those grass suckers shouldn't be allowed as a weed-control fish. They don't have their place in our ecosystem (Europe or the US for that matter).

Funny stuff, they are called "Carpe Amour" here... Amour meaning "love" in French .... well, I hate them  

Not the fish's fault of course !

If it wasn't for Florida's implementation of grass carp, there would be many dead lakes due to low oxygen. The hydrilla would be out of control.

my friends pond has alot and a good time is when they cut the grass around the lake and the grass goes in the water. put a wad of grass around the hook and tie it up with a rubberband. also you can try throwing out dog food that floats or bread then put some bread on your hook with no weights and float it on top.

before all you carp haters keep talking, tell me when you last caught a 20 lb bass?  or caught a 10 lb er for that matter. in a 4 hour session you could caught 10 or more 10 pounders

before all you carp haters keep talking, tell me when you last caught a 20 lb bass? or caught a 10 lb er for that matter. in a 4 hour session you could caught 10 or more 10 pounders

Haters?  Eesh.  Actually, I saw several people defending them.  10 pounders down here aren't all that rare

LCPointer, the lake I was on a few days ago had some beastly sized Carp in it.  The lake was extremely healthy.  The lake I live on has none.  At least I've never seen one in the close to 10 years I've lived on it.  There is a bunch of dead/dying grass all over the bottom of the lake.  I wonder what would happen if a few carp got released into the lake...

Here's one that was caught in my county this year.

71.6 lbs

54"

Now that would be one ridiculous fight on some bass gear.

By far the best bait that I have found for grass carp that you can see is a Jitterbug. Grass carp love cicadas which is what a jitterbug looks like.

jitterbug for grass carp?!  wow