Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
A large, hard-fighting species that has naturalized throughout warmwater lakes and rivers across the entire United States. Increasingly embraced by sport anglers, especially by fly and euro-style carp enthusiasts, common carp offer challenging sight-fishing opportunities and powerful runs that test any tackle.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- hair-rigged boilies
- bottom fishing with corn/dough
- euro-style with bite alarms
- fly fishing to tailing fish
Top Baits
- sweet corn
- dough balls
- boilies
- bread
- nightcrawlers
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Common Carp, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Hawaii 1 zone
No size or bag limit on carp. Found in reservoirs and streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI | 61.5 lb | 47.5 in | — | 1974 | Wolf Lake |
| WI | 57.13 lb | — | Mike Prorok | 1966 | Lake Wisconsin |
| MN | 55.31 lb | — | — | — | Clearwater Lake |
| OH | 53.65 lb | — | Patrick Johnson | 2013 | Lake Erie |
| TN | 53 lb | — | John R. Pepper Jr. | 1997 | Marrowbone Lake |
| PA | 52 lb | — | George Brown | 1962 | Juniata River |
| CA | 52 lb | — | Bryant Lee | 1968 | Lake Nacimiento |
| MO | 50.38 lb | — | Russell Tarr | 1996 | Rothwell Park Lake |
| NY | 50.38 lb | — | Charles Primeau Sr. | 1995 | Tomhannock Reservoir |
| WA | 49.5 lb | — | Duane Fisher | 2006 | Moses Lake |
| VA | 49.25 lb | — | — | — | — |
| NC | 48 lb | — | William Houston Jr. | 1986 | Private pond |
| TX | 44.25 lb | — | Kevin Olivier | 2021 | Lady Bird Lake |
| IN | 43.25 lb | — | Russell Long | 1989 | Pine Lake |
| GA | 35.75 lb | — | Rev. Donald Clark | 1972 | Lake Jackson |
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