The establishment of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp H. molitrix throughout the Mississippi River basin potentially expands the prey base for native predators. A mechanistic understanding of interactions between nonnative prey and native predators is needed to assess the potential for predator regulation of Hypophthalmichthys carp populations and impacts on native predator assemblages. We conducted a series of experiments to quantify the selectivity and efficiency of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides predation on juveniles of both of these Hypophthalmichthys species and behaviors that potentially influence this selectivity and efficiency. Selectivity was measured over 24 h in 2‐m‐diameter pools containing one of two prey assemblages consisting of three individuals from each of three species: (1) Bighead Carp with native littoral (Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) and pelagic prey (Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas) or (2) Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, and a morphologically similar native prey (Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum). Foraging efficiency and predator–prey behaviors were quantified in 45‐min trials in which Largemouth Bass foraged on 10 individuals of a single prey species inside a 750‐L observation tank. All prey species were readily attacked and consumed by Largemouth Bass; Silver Carp were selected less often than Gizzard Shad, and Bighead Carp were selected at a higher rate than any of the other prey species. Of the species tested, Bighead Carp formed the tightest schools and were captured most efficiently by Largemouth Bass. Overall, Hypophthalmichthys carps were similar to native prey in their vulnerability to Largemouth Bass; therefore, factors affecting Hypophthalmichthys carp availability relative to native prey may shape postinvasion predator–prey interactions.

Soft plastic lures (SPLs) may comprise a significant amount of fishing gear pollution, yet little is known about their environmental impacts in aquatic systems or their ingestion by fish. We tested whether shape and material composition of ingested SPLs influenced subsequent prey consumption by Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides after SPL ingestion. We also quantified the occurrence of SPL ingestion by Largemouth Bass in reservoirs. Biodegradable and nonbiodegradable versions of shad, ribbon‐tail worm, and finesse worm SPLs were fed to Largemouth Bass, and consumption of natural prey was quantified 1 d and 1 week postingestion. Shape and material composition altered prey consumption by Largemouth Bass. Fish that ingested the shad SPL, the largest lure by volume, consumed the fewest number of prey 1 d postingestion. Ingestion of biodegradable SPLs resulted in lower prey consumption rates than ingestion of nonbiodegradable SPLs. Largemouth Bass typically expelled the SPL within 9 d of ingestion; all lures were either regurgitated or egested. Less than 1% of Largemouth Bass sampled in two Illinois reservoirs had SPLs in their stomachs. Our results suggest that discarded SPLs do not pose a significant long‐term threat to the health of individual Largemouth Bass. However, SPLs should still be discarded in a responsible manner.