| Carp are actually originally from the Caspian Sea in | | | | sporting fish choice, and in less than 5 years it has |
| Central Asia, although the increased popularity for | | | | become as popular as bass fishing. |
| carp fishing in the United Kingdom and other areas | | | | The World Carp Classic is the most important |
| of Europe often leads to the misconception that | | | | competition on the carp angler's calendar. In 2009 |
| they are native to these regions. Although there | | | | the 12th annual contest was held, attracting 260 |
| are no accurate records giving a specific date, a | | | | anglers all hoping to be crowned carp fishing |
| thriving carp population was found in the United | | | | champion. There is no doubt that carp fishing has |
| Kingdom by the end of the 1600's, and we | | | | international appeal, as for the first time Japan and |
| assume slightly early for other parts of Europe. | | | | Portugal competed alongside 22 other countries, |
| Certainly author Izaac Walton seems to support | | | | and next year looks set to see even more new |
| these dates with his book The Complete Angler, | | | | entries. |
| as he says "the carp is the queen of rivers; a | | | | Unfortunately the introduction of carp to none |
| stately, a good, and a very subtle fish; that was | | | | native regions is causing much suffering and |
| not at first bred, nor hath been long in England, | | | | devastation. India is reporting the carp putting pay |
| but is now naturalized" | | | | to the populations of the native Catla catla and |
| Carp in the United States is much easier to date. | | | | Tor putitora in their Govind Sangar reservoir. |
| It was 1870 when the first carp was imported by | | | | China reported that the Donghu Lake in Wuhan |
| the Fish Commission and presented at the | | | | saw the submerged macrophytes totally |
| Philadelphia Exhibition. In 1877 the first federal carp | | | | decimated by carp in 1989; the problem was |
| ponds were introduced and were sited in | | | | further compounded in 2004 when they further |
| Washington D.C. | | | | reported the complete disappearance of the 60 |
| Anglers now see carp as an excellent choice for | | | | species of fish that had also been native to that |
| sport fishing and the appeal is great. However, | | | | lake. |
| initially in both the UK and the US carp was bred | | | | Moving to Nepal, the country fears its fish paddies |
| just for food. No longer just for food, carp is now | | | | will be overrun by carp, and that their indigenous |
| very much for sport. Since the 1950's the UK | | | | species will to be completely wiped out. In the US, |
| angler has seen carp as the best sporting fish, | | | | government action is being sought, with Governor |
| and the rest of Europe agrees. Such is the | | | | Ted Strickland at the head, as they seek to shut |
| popularity that special specifically designed carp | | | | down the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal, as |
| fishing tackle is used, and the development of the | | | | this connects the Mississippi River to the Great |
| best tackle really is an art form. In 2006 in Austin | | | | Lakes where carp moving up to the lakes are |
| Texas, The American Carp Society was the | | | | having a devastating effect of the biodiversity |
| proud sponsor of a carp fishing competition on | | | | there. It is hoped this will allow anglers to continue |
| Lady Bird Lake. It was this one single event that | | | | their sport without damaging the environment. |
| saw the US angler see carp as an excellent | | | | |