MUSKEGON, MI (AP)-- State officials say no signs of Asian carp were found during searches of Michigan rivers and inland lakes last year.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took samples from waterways including the Muskegon River, the St. Joseph River, the Grand River and the Detroit River, as well as Lake St. Clair. They were looking for DNA from bighead and silver carp, which have infested the Mississippi River basin and are threatening to invade the Great Lakes.
Scientists have detected genetic material from Asian carp in Chicago-area waterways. But The Muskegon Chronicle reports that none of the Michigan samples tested positive. Fish shed their genetic material in feces, scales and mucous.
Nick Popoff of the state Department of Natural Resources says testing of Michigan waters will continue this year.