Attack of the Alien Invaders What do the common carp and the
zebra mussel have in common? They are both aquatic nuisance
species which have become established in West Virginia .
Unfortunately, they will not be the last. Aquatic nuisance
species have many labels: alien, exotic, introduced, invasive,
nonindigenous, or nonnative. A fish or plant may be a desirable
native or indigenous organism in one state or body of water, but
undesirable or exotic in another state, or even in a different
lake or river within the same state. For example, the brook
trout is a desirable sport fish in West Virginia , but is
considered an alien species that competes with native rainbow
trout in western states. Other popular sport fish that are
considered beneficial in one state but a nuisance in another are
the brown and rainbow trout, flathead catfish, northern pike and
smallmouth bass. Freshwater drum, common in the Monongahela
River , were recently found in Tygart Lake and may prove to be
detrimental to the lake's plant and anim