Common Carp in Georgia
Where Georgia common carp live and what you may keep.
- n/alimit
- 35 lb, 12 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not of a Georgia water: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
What Georgia anglers should know about common carp
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is listed by Georgia DNR as a nongame fish.
The freshwater record list shows 35 lb, 12 oz from 1972. Here, 31 water pages list it among the fish present.
common carp in the words of WRD biologists
Description. “Slate to gold in color with a dark spot at the base of each scale. A single, stiff spine in both the dorsal and anal fins. Sucker-like mouth with a barbell on each corner. Up to 58 lb or more; 5 to 25 lb typical.”
Habitat. “Found in a wide variety of habitats. Prefers warm, standing or slow-moving water. Spawn in very shallow 59–77-degree water and are often observed splashing about with their backs out of water.”
Range. “Introduced, potentially found statewide.”
Food. “Bottom feeding, worms, small crustaceans and plants.”
Tips. “Very strong fighter. Doughballs, worms and corn.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Georgia record common carp
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 35 lb, 12 oz | Lake Jackson | 1972 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Finding common carp on Georgia water
Lakes worth a cast for common carp
- Clarks Hill Lake71,535 acres
- Lake Hartwell56,000 acres
- Lake Lanier38,000 acres
- Lake Richard B. Russell26,650 acres
- Lake Allatoona11,860 acres
- Lake Chatuge7,050 acres
- Lake Jackson4,750 acres
- Lake Nottely4,180 acres
- Lake Blue Ridge3,290 acres
- Carters Lake3,220 acres
- Lake Burton2,775 acres
- Reregulation Reservoir1,030 acres
- Bull Sluice Lake406 acres
- Reservoir 51313 acres
- Lake Acworth303 acres
- Lake Rutledge229 acres
- Lake Russell, Habersham County95 acres
- Hogan Lake10 acres
Rivers worth a cast for common carp
- Ocmulgee RiverTelfair
- Chattahoochee RiverHall
- Altamaha RiverWayne
- Oconee RiverLaurens
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Oostanaula RiverGordon
- Coosa RiverFloyd
- Chestatee RiverLumpkin
- Coosawattee RiverGilmer
- Broad RiverElbert
- Nottely RiverUnion
- Cartecay RiverGilmer
- Conasauga RiverMurray
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Georgia species in the same class as common carp
- Yellow Bassfreshwater
- Bowfinfreshwater
- Black Bullheadfreshwater
- Brown Bullheadfreshwater
- Yellow Bullheadfreshwater
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
- Freshwater Drumfreshwater
- Longnose Garfreshwater
- Spotted Garfreshwater
- Smallmouth Buffalofreshwater
- Green Sunfishfreshwater
A look at the water near Common Carp
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
Straight answers on common carp in Georgia
How many common carp can I keep in Georgia?
The guide lists no separate limit for it.
Does Georgia list a record common carp?
35 lb, 12 oz on the freshwater list, from Lake Jackson in 1972.
Which waters here list common carp?
31 water pages on this site, led by Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Hartwell and Lake Lanier.
Is there a stocking program for common carp?
WRD lists no stocking for it by water.
What scientific name goes with common carp?
A nongame fish, Cyprinus carpio; freshwater water.
Can I fish for common carp all year in Georgia?
Georgia lists no closed season for it.
Which Georgia license covers common carp?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Are there guided trips for common carp?
It is missing from every guide listing here.
Choose a Georgia water for common carp
Open a listed water for ramps and the rules that apply.