Unwanted Pets: Giant Goldfish Turn up in Minnesota Waterways

A large goldfish caught in Keller Lake during a water quality survey is held in this image provided by the City of Burnsville, Minn., on July 2, 2021. City of Burnsville via AP

BURNSVILLE, Minn.—Officials in Minnesota said they’re finding more giant goldfish in waterways, prompting a plea to citizens to stop illegally dumping their unwanted fish into ponds and lakes.

The goldfish, which can grow to the size of a football, compete with native species for food and increase algae in lakes. Officials in the Twin Cities suburb of Burnsville found 10 fish in Keller Lake earlier this month while doing a water quality survey.