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Common Carp

Common Carp

Common Carp in Delaware are an introduced, non-native species that have become abundant throughout the state's waters. They're remarkably hardy fish that can tolerate poor water quality and are found statewide.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Bronze to golden-yellow fish that are members of the minnow family, distinguished by two pairs of barbels (whiskers) on each side of their mouth and yellowish-white bellies.
  • Delaware carp typically weigh between 1-10 pounds, though the state record stands at 45 pounds (caught by Ronald Burnett in 1976).

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found statewide in murky shallow waters of ponds, sloughs, ditches, and rivers.

Key Locations

  • Delaware State Parks waters including Killens Pond, Lums Pond, and other freshwater bodies statewide.

Specific Spots

  • Shallow, muddy areas, areas with emergent vegetation, shallow bays, and structures where carp feed.

Common Carp FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Common Carp in Delaware?

Canned corn, pieces of bread rolled into marble-sized balls, marble-sized dough balls, pack baits made from bread crumbs, strawberry jello, flour, e.g.gs, sweet corn, and canned corn, artificial corn.

When is the best time to fish for Common Carp in Delaware?

Open year-round. Best fishing occurs outside spawning periods. In Delaware's latitude, spawning typically occurs in spring with possible fall spawns, making these periods less productive for fishing.

How do you catch Common Carp in Delaware?

Pack baits formed into dough balls and presented on method leads or slip sinker rigs. Artificial corn stacked on hair rigs. Focus on areas with emergent vegetation, shallow bays, and structures where carp feed.

What do Common Carp eat?

As omnivores, Common Carp feed on vegetable matter, crayfish, aquatic insects, zooplankton, molluscs, benthic worms, fish e.g.gs, and detritus. They use their barbels to feel for food in sediment, often rooting through mud and vegetation.

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