Common Carp in Washington
common carp under the 2026-27 WDFW pamphlet.
- No min. size. Nolimit
- 49.50 lbsrecord
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common carp by the Washington numbers
WDFW prints the common carp rule in its statewide freshwater list as "Common Carp". The entry runs: No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. May also be taken by spear or bow-and-arrow. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons.
The WDFW state record weighed 49.50 lbs, taken by Duane Fisher from Moses Lake, Grant County in 2006. It turns up on 1 Washington lake, river or marine pages, among them Moses Lake. 3 waters carry a Special Rule touching it. WDFW prints its scientific name as Cyprinus carpio carpio.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | all freshwater | No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. May also be taken by spear or bow-and-arrow. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons. | Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026.
common carp in the Special Rules tables
Special Rules for 3 waters use the label "carp".
Every water with Special Rules
Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 26 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.The Washington record common carp
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | 49.50 lbs | Duane Fisher | Moses Lake, Grant County | June 17, 2006 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Evergreen State water for common carp
Impoundments and natural lakes with common carp
- Moses Lake6,728 acres
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Fish WDFW groups with common carp
- Grass Carpfreshwater
What the water by Common Carp looks like on a clear day
Photo: Bernd Thaller, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Sheila Sund, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jett Brooks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Richard Probst – Shot in a Frame, CC BY 2.0
Washington common carp questions with short replies
Which WDFW rule sets the common carp limit?
The pamphlet says: No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. May also be taken by spear or bow-and-arrow. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons.
Who holds the Washington common carp record?
The record is 49.50 lbs from Moses Lake, Grant County in 2006, by Duane Fisher.
Which Washington water pages mention common carp?
1 water pages list it, led by Moses Lake.
Does the 2026 plants report list common carp?
The 2026 plants report leaves it out.
Do any Washington waters set their own common carp rule?
3 waters print a Special Rule for it.
In which months may common carp be kept in Washington?
The pamphlet season is Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons. WDFW emergency rules override the pamphlet.
What does a Washington license for common carp cost?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
What does a common carp record claim need in Washington?
Do not freeze it; get a certified weight with witnesses and call a WDFW office for verification.
Plan Washington water around common carp
Start with one of the waters above.