Missouri

Missouri Angler Lands Monster Invasive Carp, Buries It

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2024

Missouri Angler Lands Monster Invasive Carp, Buries It

When George Chance caught a potential world-record fish in March, he didn’t do a lot of celebrating.

It wasn’t like he caught a highly sought-after bass, crappie or catfish. Instead, he landed a 97-pound bighead carp, an invasive species that is scorned by fisheries biologists in Missouri and surrounding states.

Yes, it was a gigantic catch, the biggest freshwater fish Chance had ever reeled in. But instead of rushing to the taxidermist, Chance buried his fish in his garden to serve as fertilizer.

“I didn’t want that big ugly thing hanging on my wall,” said Chance, 78, who was fishing in a slough off the Mississippi River near his hometown of Festus, Missouri. “I’ve already planted a couple of rows of tomatoes over the spot where I buried it.”

George Chance caught a 97-pound bighead carp in March in a slough off the Mississippi River. The fish, an invasive species, is a potential world record. (Courtesy | George Chance)

Chance won’t forget the fight the giant fish put up. He was casting for big flathead catfish when the carp hit the crankbait he was retrieving.

“I caught flatheads weighing 45 and 35 pounds three days before that,” Chance said. “I thought I had another one.”

Instead, he had one of the rough fish Midwest fisheries biologists label Public Enemy No. 1 — an invasive carp.

Four species go under that heading — silver, bighead, black and grass.

All made their way from Asia into Midwestern rivers after being inadvertently released from aquaculture operations. Some of those fish farms raised the carp for fish food, fish oil, fertilizer or even human consumption.

The carp made their way into major riverways during floods. And it was like Frankenstein had been released.

The invasives thrived in their new home, overpopulating rivers such as the Mississippi and the Missouri. By the early 2000s, it was obvious that Missouri, Kansas and surrounding states had a problem.

That problem has only gotten worse with time.

“Silver carp are highly, highly abundant in just about every river they get into,” said Joe McMullen, big river specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. “They’re a real threat to our native species.”

How? The invasive carp are filter feeders, meaning they feed heavily on plankton. The fry of native species also rely on plankton, meaning they compete for the same food source. Adult species such as paddlefish, buffalo and gizzard shad also rely on plankton.

Simply put, there are concerns that the invasive carp will take up too much biomass. That is especially a concern if the invasive fish get into smaller bodies of water.

Jumping Fish

If you doubt the silver carp’s abundance, try running your boat through a side channel off of the Missouri or Mississippi rivers.

Dozens of startled fish jump out of the water, like kernels of popcorn in a pan.

“They spook very easily,” said Kasey Whiteman, a fisheries researcher for the Missouri Department of Conservation. “Because they’re filter feeders, they look for that warm, slower-moving water.

“They can gather in those areas in impressive numbers.”

The silver carp brings a new mean to the fisherman’s saying, “They were jumping into the boat.”

A Plague on Missouri Waterways

Anglers have been injured when they have been clobbered by the flying fish. Reports of anglers being knocked out or absorbing blows to the chest or legs aren’t uncommon.

Silver carp are by far the most abundant of the invasive species. They don’t grow nearly as large as the bighead or grass carp. But there is strength in numbers.

Massive schools of two- to five-pound fish have been reported in the major river systems. As for size, there are exceptions to the rule.

Whiteman remembers sampling one silver carp that weighed almost 60 pounds.

“It had a head as big as a football helmet,” he said.

Culling the Herd

Fisheries officials have declared war on the invasive species.

Large-scale programs in which state and federal agencies collaborate to remove large numbers of carp have found success.

Last October, the Missouri Department of Conservation joined with Illinois and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide more financial incentives to commercial fishermen to harvest the invasive carp and get them out of the Mississippi River.

A staggering 1 million pounds of carp, mostly silvers, have been harvested in that short amount of time.

“If we can make harvesting of these invasive carp economically viable for commercial fishermen, maybe we can make a dent in populations,” McMullen said.

Other removal projects have also found success. Whiteman led a program to reduce populations of silver carp in the Grand River near where it joins the Missouri River.

Research showed that silver carp were abundant in the Missouri River, but they were hard to target because of the river’s size. So, Whiteman and his crew shifted their attention to the lower six miles of the Grand, which also had a sizeable population of the invasive species.

They closed part of the Grand by putting large nets at both ends of the six-mile stretch and went to work removing the invasive carp.

In September 2022, the Department of Conservation got 25,000 pounds of mostly silver carp out of the river. The crew returned to the same stretch a year later and collected 36,000 pounds.

“We tested for density a week before our removal effort and a week after and we found that the population was significantly lower,” Whiteman said.

“That gives us hope that in these small specific areas we can reduce the population of invasive carp that live there.”

A Tough Battle

Still, containing the invasive carp isn’t easy.

Recreational fishermen aren’t much help. Because the invasive carp feed mostly on plankton, they rarely strike on traditional bait.

Though Chance caught his fish in the lip, fisheries biologists say that seldom happens. They urge anglers not to throw the invasive carp back when they catch one.

They even have programs to show how to clean and prepare the carp for the dinner table.

Meanwhile, officials continue to search for ways to give the carp value and incentivize their removal.

“I think we are making some progress,” McMullen said. “But there’s still a long way to go.”

Brent Frazee is an award-winning writer who freelances for magazines, newspapers and websites. He lives in Parkville with his wife Jana and his two yellow labs, Millie and Maggie.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 2-7-3

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 3-2-6

Evening Wild: 5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 8-4-4-6

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 2-7-8-4

Evening Wild: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

08-10-13-39-60, Cash Ball: 01

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Morning: 14

Matinee: 04

Prime Time: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

07-09-12-21-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

The Food Bank, local agencies and schools partner to meet Mid-Missouri needs

Published

14 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

The Food Bank, local agencies and schools partner to meet Mid-Missouri needs

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is set to host its 19th annual One for One Holiday Food & Fund Drive on Wednesday. Items gathered will provide food to families in need during the holiday season and beyond.

The Food Bank has more than 145 partner agencies and 200 partner schools that help distribute food in its 32-county service area.

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri serves 32 (dark purple) of Missouri’s 114 counties. [Courtesy: The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri]

In Boone County, more than 30 agencies partner with The Food Bank, including Aging Best, Hogan House, In2Action, Powerhouse, Tiger Pantry, True North, Turning Point and Welcome Home.

In Cole County, The Food Bank has 11 partner agencies, including Building Community Bridges, Catholic Charities, First Christian Church Food Pantry, Rape & Abuse Crisis Services, Salvation Army and the Samaritan Center.

The Food Bank’s interactive map can help people find partner agencies or schools distributing food near them.

The most needed items at the One for One Holiday Drive are canned meat/protein, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups/chilis/stews, boxed meal kits, cereal, peanut butter and pasta, according to The Food Bank’s website.

Food and funds can be donated at two locations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday — the Columbia Mall and Buchheits in Jefferson City. The Food Bank’s purchasing power turns every $25 donated into at least 100 meals.

Firefighters from Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 will volunteer during the One for One drive. The 12-hour event will also have fire engines, music and Santa.

People interested in donating can visit sharefoodbringhope.org for more information.

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Missouri

Bet365 Missouri bonus code: Bet $10, get a $365 bonus for Vikings vs. Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Bet365 Missouri bonus code: Bet , get a 5 bonus for Vikings vs. Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

The NFL Week 15 schedule is almost over, but not before the Dallas Cowboys host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Sports bettors in Missouri can get in on the action with $365 in bonuses when they register with today’s bet365 Missouri bonus code.

While that new-user bonus is strong, we recommend the Missouri sports betting promos below. Click any banner or all of them to claim more than $4,000 in bonuses today.

Dallas struggled early this season, thanks mostly to its leaky defense. The Cowboys have improved on that side of the ball and have won three of their last four. That bounce back has coincided with the Philadelphia Eagles’ slump, giving Dallas hope it can climb all the way to the top of the NFC East and make the playoffs.

The Cowboys are 6.5-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook on Sunday against the Vikings, who won last week but have only faint playoff hopes.

bet365 Missouri bonus code at a glance

🎁 bet365 bonus code	None
💰 bet365 bonus code details	Bet $10, and get $365 in bonuses
📝 Bet $5, get $365 in bonus bets terms and conditions	A minimum deposit of $10 is required. Bet $10+ and receive a $365 bonus within one hour of wager settlement, win or lose. Bonus bets expire after seven days and cannot be withdrawn.
✅ Last verified	Dec. 14, 2025

🎁 bet365 bonus code

None

💰 bet365 bonus code details

Bet $10, and get $365 in bonuses

📝 Bet $5, get $365 in bonus bets terms and conditions

A minimum deposit of $10 is required.

Bet $10+ and receive a $365 bonus within one hour of wager settlement, win or lose.

Bonus bets expire after seven days and cannot be withdrawn.

✅ Last verified

Dec. 14, 2025

How to register with the bet365 Missouri bonus code

It does not take long to register for a new account at bet365. Follow the steps below to sign up and claim your guaranteed bonuses in Missouri.

Download the bet365 Sportsbook app.
Fill in the required informational fields to verify your age and identity.
Select your banking method and make a first-time deposit of at least $10.
Bet $10 on tonight’s game between the Vikings and Cowboys or any other sporting event.

You will receive a $365 bonus when your first bet settles, no matter the outcome of your bet. The bonus will be added to your account as a lump sum. You can use the full amount on a single bet or divide it into smaller bets. Edit the amount of bonus bets in your betslip before you confirm a wager.

Use the full amount within seven days of receipt or the leftover portion will expire.

Bet365 bonus code terms and conditions

Only new users are eligible.
Place a first-time deposit of at least $10.
Enter your initial deposit within seven days of establishing the account.
The qualifying wager must be settled within 30 days.
Upon issuance, the bonus bets will be good for seven days.

Bet365 Missouri existing user promotions

Once the welcome bonuses have been used, the door opens to more tempting ongoing offers from bet365. Here are some of the current featured offers for confirmed registered players:

Profit boosts: Receive increased payouts on select markets and wager types.
Early win payout: When the team you bet on establishes a big lead, your wager is graded as a winner. If you bet on Dallas to beat Minnesota, and Dallas builds a 17-point lead, you cash out immediately.

Why our experts like this welcome bonus

Online sportsbook offers often fluctuate, and they don’t always guarantee a bonus for new users. That is not the case with bet365 in Missouri. New users receive the bonus no matter what. That’s impossible to beat.

In addition, bet365 awards more bonuses than industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel. Both sportsbooks give new users $300 a bonus.

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