Maybe it's time to cut carp some slack

Missouri Department of Conservation

Although the word origins of the fish known as carp and the word carping (a verb meaning "to complain") are different, as far as anglers and biologists are concerned, the two often go hand in hand.

Why do carp draw the ire of biologists and the disdain of so many anglers? To answer this question, we first need to know a little about the fish. Carp are actually a group of fishes native to Asia that have been introduced both intentionally and accidentally to this country's lakes and rivers. These species are members of the minnow family and include the common carp, grass carp, bighead carp, silver carp and black carp.

The most well-known and wide-spread is the common carp. When someone refers to a fish as a "carp," they are most likely talking about the common carp. This species was, and still is, a highly sought fish in Europe for both its sporting quality and tasty flesh. European settlers brought the common carp to this country in the early 1800s. Fish hatcheries were constructed and carp were transported and stocked by wagon train and railroad. This stocking program was certainly a success, because the carp has become one of our most recognizable fauna.

Nevertheless, this species never gained the popularity it has in Europe, and by the early 1900s most carp stocking programs had ended. By then, however, carp were widespread and doing quite well on their own.

Despite the carp's large size, strong fighting ability and seemingly endless availability, most anglers respond with dissatisfaction when they realize that the fish on the end of their line is a carp and not a catfish, walleye or bass. The carp's bony flesh and the resulting difficulty preparing it for the table is certainly a reason anglers have not embraced this species.

Like many anglers, fisheries biologists wish that the carp had remained on the other side of the ocean. Biologists' dislike for the carp stems from impacts they have on our aquatic ecosystems and native fisheries. Carp damage aquatic ecosystems by becoming very abundant, muddying the water, eliminating vegetation, and invariably reducing habitat quality for other fish. Because common carp will readily reproduce in our lakes and ponds, biologists continuously struggle to keep them out or to find ways to reduce their impacts when they are present.

Regardless of whether you are a fan of the carp, it's here to stay, and we might as well take advantage of the opportunities they present. Because the carp can grow large and is abundant in many lakes and rivers, the fishing opportunities are almost endless.

If you want to catch fish exceeding 10 pounds, there is no better opportunity than carp fishing. Also, despite popular belief, carp can provide excellent eating when prepared correctly. The trick is to score the flesh so the small bones cook and can be eaten unnoticed. Carp is also very good canned or pickled.

Carp are easy to catch if you use the right bait and tackle. Do not use a large hook because a carp's mouth is relatively small. The best baits are worms, corn and dough balls. Dough balls are probably the best bait and they are easy to prepare.

To make dough balls, mix equal parts of flour, corn meal and water until thick. Add a little strawberry soda, vanilla or maple syrup for flavor and you have the best carp-catching bait there is. Use just enough dough to cover a small treble hook, and use a small weight if necessary.

Although the carp is probably our most notorious fish and a mostly undesirable addition to our native fauna, but if we see the glass-half-full view we can appreciate that these big, hard-fighting fish offer great fishing opportunities. If you do give carp fishing a try, be prepared to hook into some real tackle-busters. There is no daily limit on carp -- you can keep all that you catch.

Joe Bonneau is a fisheries management biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.