Skip to main content

Silver Carp

Silver Carp

Silver Carp are an invasive filter-feeding species from China's Yangtze and Amur River systems that have established populations throughout Tennessee's waterways since the early 2000s.

Scientific Name: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Physical Characteristics:
  • These laterally compressed fish have silvery bodies with small scales, scaleless heads, large toothless mouths, and distinctive keels extending from the anal fin to the base of the gills.
  • They commonly reach 20 pounds but can grow upwards of 60-75 pounds and over 3 feet long.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Prefer calmer waters in standing or slow-flowing waters.
  • Avoid main-channel habitat as Silver Carp prefer calmer waters.

Key Locations

  • In Tennessee, Silver Carp are most abundant in Kentucky and Barkley reservoirs on the lower Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, with emerging populations in Pickwick Reservoir.
  • They've been reported as far upstream as Chickamauga Reservoir on the Tennessee River and Cordell Hull Dam on the Cumberland River, plus Reelfoot Lake.

Specific Spots

  • Target contiguous backwaters, tributary streams, main-channel borders, side-channel borders, and behind wing dikes where water pools.
  • Avoid main-channel habitat.

Silver Carp FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

When is the best time to fish for Silver Carp in Tennessee?

Spring through fall provides optimal fishing when water temperatures range from 50-80°F. Winter fishing can be productive as they move to deeper pools and warmer areas like coves and creeks during cold weather.

How do you catch Silver Carp in Tennessee?

Since they're filter feeders consuming microscopic organisms, traditional angling methods are challenging, but they can be taken incidentally while targeting other species or through specialized techniques.

What do Silver Carp eat?

Their diet consists entirely of microscopic algae, phytoplankton, and zooplankton, filtering 20-40% of their body weight daily from the water column.

Where do Silver Carp live in Tennessee?

Prefer calmer waters in standing or slow-flowing waters. Avoid main-channel habitat as Silver Carp prefer calmer waters.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Silver Carp.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Silver Carp water

    Pick Silver Carp and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Silver Carp

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Silver Carp are.

Open the map, filter by Silver Carp, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Tennessee licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.