Common carp across Minnesota
Where common carp live in Minnesota, with limits.
- No limitlimit
- 55 lb 5 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not of a Minnesota water: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
common carp in the state
In DNR terms, Common carp is part of the minnow family. Limit (inland waters (statewide)): No limit; season Continuous.
A 55 lb 5 oz fish from Clearwater Lake in 1952 holds the record. 654 lakes carry it on their DNR survey list, 738 with pages on this site. The highest gill net catch rate on a lake with a page here is 278.5 per net at Cody Lake.
Minnesota limits for common carp
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | No limit | Continuous |
| Inland waters | No limit | Early season March 1 – April 30 (south of Hwy 210, lakes and Minnesota/Mississippi/St. Croix rivers, from a bo |
| Inland waters | No limit | Spearing April 25, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027; harpooning, dip net and seine May 1, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 (sunrise to |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Record common carp from Minnesota
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| non certified weight | 55 lb 5 oz | Clearwater Lake | Wright | 1952 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Lakes where DNR gill nets caught the most common carp
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Lake | 278.5 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.08 | 2021 |
| Butterfield Lake, Watonwan County | 153 | 1.5-11.6 | 0.09 | 1992 |
| Scotch Lake | 126 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.71 | 2013 |
| North Drywood Lake | 120.5 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.6 | 2013 |
| Goose Lake, Meeker County | 108 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.6 | 1988 |
| Clear Lake, Brown County | 106.5 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.52 | 2016 |
| Smith Lake, Wright County | 99 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.3 | 1980 |
| Maple Lake, Meeker County | 92.33 | 1.0-13.8 | 0.36 | 1991 |
| Stay Lake | 85 | 0.3-4.2 | 1.36 | 2025 |
| Lady Slipper Lake | 76 | 1.0-13.8 | 1.51 | 2022 |
| Silver Lake near St. Anthony, Ramsey County | 56 | 0.8-4.3 | 0.1 | 2024 |
| Louisa Lake, Murray County | 54.33 | 1.0-13.8 | 1.34 | 1991 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Waters holding common carp
Lakes for common carp
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Lake Minnewaska8,050 acres
- Dead Lake, Otter Tail County7,546 acres
- Lake Osakis6,389 acres
- North Long Lake, Crow Wing County6,190 acres
- Lac qui Parle5,741 acres
- Miltona Lake5,731 acres
- West Battle Lake5,615 acres
- Green Lake, Kandiyohi County5,569 acres
- North Lida Lake5,523 acres
- Rush Lake near Ottertail, Otter Tail County5,276 acres
- Big Pine Lake, Otter Tail County4,728 acres
- Star Lake, Otter Tail County4,486 acres
- Marsh, Big Stone County4,462 acres
- Ida Lake, Douglas County4,445 acres
- Christina Lake3,971 acres
Creeks for common carp
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
- Mustinka RiverGrant
- Hay Creek, Goodhue CountyGoodhue
- Hay Creek, Pine CountyPine
- Hay Creek, Carlton CountyCarlton
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
More fish near common carp on the list
- Walleyeperch family
- Saugerperch family
- Saugeyeperch family
- Yellow perchperch family
- Northern pikepike family
- Muskellungepike family
- Tiger muskellungepike family
- Largemouth basssunfish family
- Smallmouth basssunfish family
- Rock basssunfish family
- Black crappiesunfish family
- White crappiesunfish family
Lakes and rivers near Common carp in photos
Photo: Wikideas1, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: EricWoodbury8301, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
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common carp questions with short answers
What is the daily Minnesota limit for common carp?
No limit (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
How heavy is the record common carp?
55 lb 5 oz from Clearwater Lake (1952).
Which lakes are best for common carp?
Cody Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 278.5 per net; 745 waters on this site list it.
Are common carp stocked in Minnesota?
No DNR stocking row covers it.
How can I tell a common carp when I land one?
See the DNR profile.
When is common carp season in Minnesota?
Continuous
What does a license for common carp cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do outfitters target common carp?
No listing names it.
Go fishing for common carp
Open a lake above for accesses and limits.