I don't know if they are hurting the lake for sure or not, but I'm thinking that they are. Normally I can catch a limit this time of year but it just ain't happening for me this year at the foot.I was there friday and the carps were jumping all around my boat when I motoring across the lake. I wish that I could go out there and get some shotgun practice in on them without getting in trouble.I think that would be a blast.But I guess it could be considered dangerous?