Anglers are no longer allowed to fish in section of Jack’s Creek.

The Washington City Council, during its meeting Monday, voted unanimously to prohibit fishing in the section of the creek that runs from John Small Avenue to Park Drive, where a pumping station used during high-water events is located. Jack’s Creek helps drain much of the eastern section of the city.

The grass carp have not yet be introduced to Jack’s Creek to help control the growth of aquatic vegetation, duckweed in particular. Duckweed tends to be prolific during summer months, appearing like an algal bloom at times.

Jack’s Creek has been the subject of discussion at recent council meetings.

“Jack’s Creek looks awful,” Mayor Archie Jennings said during a City Council discussion about the creek in August.

The council also unanimously voted to appropriate $1,000 for stocking grass carp in Jack’s Creek. The money will come from the stormwater fund.

The city has talked with N.C. State University and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission personnel and Pamlico-Tar River Foundation staff about the plan to stock the creek with the grass carp. The fish cost from $8 to $10 each.

“The recommendation is to stock Jack’s Creek with grass-eating carp. Those carp are sterile. They won’t reproduce,” City Manager Brian Alligood told the council and mayor.

“That’s why you also have the attached request to not be fishing out there for them — to protect your investment,” Alligood said.

The council had previously discussed stocking the creek with fish that eat aquatic vegetation to help curtail the growth of such vegetation in Jack’s Creek, especially during summer months.

“I’m glad that y’all finally found out that fish would work, even if it wasn’t my specific brand,” said Councilman Doug Mercer, who had suggested stocking tilapia in Jack’s Creek to help control the growth of aquatic vegetation.