Carp strains common to the UK include:



? Common carp

? Mirror carp

? Linear carp

? Leather carp

? Grass carp

The story of carp is truly a success story. Since its introduction in the 1300s from mainland Europe to England and Wales, the carp has flourished in almost every river and lake in Britain. Carp were introduced initially by monks as a food source, but once stocked in estate lakes and fisheries, they became interesting to anglers.

Carp got the reputation for being incredibly difficult to catch, but over time anglers honed their knowledge and skills to develop the modern techniques that are used today. During the twentieth century, carps' popularity with anglers continued to increase. The record for the largest carp caught in Britain stands at over 60lb and whilst carp this large are a rarity, it is not uncommon for them to grow to over 10lb, with 20lb being considered specimen sized.

Carp fry feed on plankton and water fleas, but adult carp, with their vacuum-like mouths and sensitive feelers, tend to feed on the lake bottom. Although not strictly predators, carp have been known to eat other fish. They have extremely sensitive taste and smell receptors, which enable them to distinguish one type of shellfish from another. This is how they avoid baits on which they have been caught already.

The water temperature needs to be between 18'C and 20'C for carp to spawn, so this usually happens in late May and early June. Often, young carp can't build up enough fat reserves before the winter and die, but the ones that do survive can live for over 40 years, therefore, ensuring the survival of the species.