Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Big, powerful, and clever. The fish that built modern specimen angling.
Also known as: Estonian karpkala, Finnish karppi, Norwegian karpe, Swedish karp.
- Typical size
- 40 to 70 cm
- A big one
- Over 10 kg, with much larger fish in the right lakes
- Where it lives
- Warm lakes, ponds and slow rivers
- Best time
- The warmer months, from late spring onward
- Common methods
- Boilies, corn, and pellets on a hair rig or feeder
About the carp
Carp are the giants of coarse fishing: big, strong, long-lived and smart enough to keep even experienced anglers honest. A whole style of fishing has grown up around them, from carefully placed baits to unhooking mats and long waits for a screaming run. Landing a good one is a proper event.
Catching carp
Find where the carp are, near lily pads, overhanging trees, or cruising the surface on a warm day, and put a bait in their path. A hair rig keeps the hook clear and hooks them cleanly on the take. Use strong tackle, a big landing net and an unhooking mat, and always support these heavy fish over soft ground.
Before you fish: closed seasons, minimum sizes and catch limits differ by country and by water, and they change. Always check the current local rules and buy any licence you need before you go.
Log your carp in FishandBeer
Every species has a place in your collection. Log the carp you catch with size, photo and notes, and watch your collection fill in day by day.
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