Carp - Learn the facts on this fish that can help you catch the trophies

One of the most common anglers' catches is thepest that must be killed, whether sport or not,
carp, a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae,because of their attributes allowing them to be an
counting in America with many devotedinvasive species on new ecosystems, with serious
enthusiasts. The best-known species of carp innegative effects for both native fauna and the
North America is the common carp (Cyprinuslocal ecosystem. Commercially speaking, this was
carpio), although the history of this fish comesbeneficial from the economy point of view.
from Europe.Carp were shipped by rail to markets during
In the Middle Ages, carp were spread by monksmany decades serving as an important food
for food throughout the Old Continent; fromsource for the growing population, and prestigious
there this tradition was exported worldwide in therestaurants, like the Waldorf and Astoria,
15th century, although the popularity of carppopularized dishes such as "Carp in Rhine Wine
remained intact until the present. In Europe, carpSauce". After the war and with the advent of
have been the most popular fish over the last 20refrigeration, carp popularity took new highs.
years, becoming a billion-dollar industry within theCarp are considered signs of good fortune in
extremely competitive fishing tackle market.Asian countries; they are part of the traditional
In the United States, it was initially considered justChristmas Eve dishes in Germany, Poland and the
one of the exotic species not native to NorthCzech Republic. They are also a competitive prize
America, arriving just by accident. In fact, it is saidfor international anglers looking for fun trying to
that actual carp are descended from fish illegallycatch the biggest because, contrary to other
introduced by unauthorized persons. The fact iscountries, they are not considered to be good for
that before the 20th century native Northeating in North America.
American fish were viewed as vital naturalThere are a large number of carp types, among
resources, harvested commercially by the millionsthe most popular are Carp bream (Abramis
of pounds.brama), Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), Carnatic
Harvesting declined stocks of river and lakecarp (Barbodes carnaticus), Crucian carp
fishes, the population was expanding, and the U.S.(Carassius carassius), Prussian carp (Carassius
Congress appointed the US Fish Commission togibelio) and the Goldfish (Carassius auratus).
oversee the nation's fisheries interests, duringThere is a website that has great information on
1871, beginning the introduction of carp in America.most species of freshwater fish. It has details
Carp promised a great return in limited waters,that pertain to each species of fish such as
and the commission imported 345 carp fromhabitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and
German aqua-culturists.baits and more, the website is called: Fishing
Commercial production of carp began in theStringer, and can be found at this url:
1900s, and the decade after the World War II,By Robert W. Benjamin
annual carp catches reached 36 million pounds.Copyright 2007
Actually, carp production continues but for anglersYou may publish this article in your ezine,
carp is just a sport fish, not only in the Unitednewsletter, or on your web site as long as it is
States, but also in most nations around the world,reprinted in its entirety and without modification
while many restaurants, hotels and resorts keepexcept for formatting needs or grammar
serving carp on the menu.corrections.
However, in a few regions carp are considered a