Carp are one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world, making it an easy one to catch for fishing enthusiasts.
While they originated in Europe and Asia, the carp has since spread to many corners of the planet, even seeping into places as far as Australia and the Middle East. They actually have a shaky reputation in North America for being an invasive species but remain a popular catch for anglers everywhere thanks to their ubiquity.
If you’re looking to take on carp fishing in Ontario, you’re in luck. Carp fishing remains immensely popular throughout North America, and you’re bound to find a perfect spot nearby.
Learn more about the carp and some best practices and gear you’ll need to achieve that first catch.
What Does the Carp Look Like?
The problem with identifying a carp catch is that the species comes in several distinct colours ranging from plain brown to bright gold. You’ll generally see large lips and scales on many of them, however. Look for large, round bodies, long dorsal fins, forked tails, and barbels around the mouth.
Carp generally come in lengths of around 20 to 30 inches and weigh 10 to 15 pounds, though some lucky anglers have caught carp as large as 60 pounds.
With homes in many countries across the world, it’s no surprise that the carp comes in many variations.
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The common carp, or the Eurasian carp, is a resilient species found throughout the world thanks to domestication. They are popular catches in fishing for both food and sport. It’s not uncommon to find smaller carp in schools.
- The crucian carp is a medium-sized carp with a golden hue that darkens into a greenish colour when the fish reaches adulthood. This species is incredibly popular in sport fishing, particularly in Britain and Japan.
- The grass carp is among the largest of the carp types, generally growing to 4 feet in length and 40 pounds in weight by adulthood. Despite its edacity, catching one with a rod isn’t always easy given how hard the fish like to fight. Grass Carp are considered an invasive species in North America.
- The silver carp is native to China and Siberia, though many live in other parts of the world. It’s worth noting that traditional angler fishing is not possible with silver carp since they filter feed and often don’t catch hooks or lines, though other methods like bowfishing are viable. Silver Carp are also considered an invasive species in North America.
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The bighead carp is native to East Asia and often comes in silver-gray colours. Like the silver carp, this species filter feeds and is therefore not susceptible to angler fishing techniques. Bighead carp are the third invasive carp species in North America.
Fishers who catch a small or young carp often mistake it for a goldfish, which belongs to the same family. However, goldfish lack the distinctive barbels on the mouth of the carp.
Where Do I Look For Carp?
Because of their invasive nature, carp are a natural target of sport fishers and anglers everywhere. Ontario happens to be a hotspot for carp as well.
What Season?
Carp are most active around the warmer months, so schedule your next fishing trip around spring, autumn, or the summer. During winter, they tend to feed less often because of their slower metabolisms during that season.
What Time?
You can catch carp at practically any time of day, even at night. However, professional anglers recommend catching carp in the early morning or early evening the most.
What Conditions?
Carp are known for their resilience. They can live in water with low oxygen and even underneath frozen lakes. But for fishing, you want to choose large bodies of slow-moving or still water within a temperate climate. Carp tend to stay in murky waters between 2 to 40 feet in depth.
Where in Ontario?
Carp are available throughout Ontario, with notable fishing spots including the Toronto Islands, the Ottawa River, and Kingston’s massive waterfront.
What’s the Best Fishing Gear For Catching Carp?
While almost any type of tackle works for catching carp, carp fishing rods are typically on the longer side (around 12 feet). Your float should also have a thin shape to make it easy to cast precisely and see any bites.
But you have plenty of room for creativity when it comes to baits, as carp are natural omnivores that eat anything from plant stems to insects. Choices for carp bait include:
- Sweet corn
- Bread
- Earthworms
- Tiger nuts
- Maize
- Boilies
Boilies, which are especially effective at baiting carp, are round pellets formed from boiling paste. Their ingredients include fishmeal and grains.
Fun Facts About Carp
Even people who aren’t interested in fishing have probably heard of carp, but not many know that the iconic East Asian Koi fish Japanese gardens use for decoration is a type of carp, as is the household goldfish.
Carp fishing is also one of the most popular forms of freshwater fishing in the world. There’s actually an event called the World Carp Championship with television coverage that features participants from as far as South Africa, Australia, and Japan. One of its recent events took place in Ontario at the St. Lawrence River.
Make Your Next Big Catch a Carp with Angling Sports
There’s no reason not to make carp your next goal as an angler. Recreational fishers across the world, including groups like Wild Carp Companies and the American Carp Society, value the carp as a worthy opportunity for anglers and a perfect alternative take to the species often derided as an invasive pest.
Looking for a one-stop shop for all carp fishing-related needs? For everything from carp fishing rigs to a wide selection of baits, shop online or in-store at Angling Sports and browse our convenient carp fishing catalog.
