The Carp is the largest member of the family known as "Cyprinidae". The Carp is native to Asia; however, its popularity as a food fish soon caused it to be introduced into Europe and subsequently in North America. The Carp made itself so much at home that it soon crowded out native species. Today, the Carp inhabits muddy lakes and streams and is thought of as a menace rather than a game fish.
The common Carp has an average length of .5 to .6 m (1-1/2 to 2 feet) and weighs about 2.3 kg (5 lbs). However, Carp weighing as much as 36.3 kg (80 lbs) have been netted.
The Carp feeds on tiny plants and animals that it catches as it roots in the mud. In the spring, Carp seek shallow water to lay their eggs. More than a million eggs are laid in one season!
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