Skip to content

The Grass Carp

Grass Carp is a large East Asian freshwater fish widely moved for aquaculture and vegetation control. Adults consume aquatic plants, but their diet is not exclusively plant material.

Identification

The elongated body is olive to brassy above and pale below, with no barbels. The short snout and specialized throat teeth provide additional distinctions from other large carps. The absence of barbels helps separate it from Common Carp.

Feeding Habitat

Adults occupy standing or slow-flowing water with vegetation. Submerged plants form a major part of the diet, alongside detritus and some insects or other invertebrates. The degree of plant consumption depends on the fish and the available vegetation.

Spawning and Size

Successful natural spawning is associated with flowing rivers, and the eggs drift downstream during development. That requirement differs from the quiet waters adults may occupy. The reference maximum is 150 centimeters total length, with a separately published weight of 45 kilograms.

Separate Adult Habitat from Spawning Habitat

A pond can support adult Grass Carp without providing the flowing-river conditions associated with natural egg development.

All Lakes With Grass Carp

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Grass Carp records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–24 of 3,657 lakes · Page 1 of 153

✉Join the Fishing Tips Daily newsletter waiting list

Our newsletter is not sending yet. Leave your email if you would like to hear from us when it launches.

By joining, you agree to receive our newsletter when it launches. To request removal before then, contact us. Read our privacy policy.