Fall Fishing for Common Carp

Here are some recent catches from Friday and Saturday's efforts.

Friday's carp were caught from an extremely weedy lake and Saturday's fish were from an urban river.

Shallow Lake Carp

Here's a catch from Saturday morning's fishing trip.

Sadly, the lake is overrun with weeds at the moment. 

Shallow water, warm weather, warm water temps, and fertilizer runoff from residential lawns help contribute to some of the weed growth in smaller lakes.

Even the deeper lakes suffer from heavy weed beds in the shallow areas near the shoreline. My favorite carp fishing lake in this area of the state has depths of 60 to 80' in some places, but it still has heavy weed growth.

Detroit River Carp Challenge

Hello, fellow anglers and adventure seekers. I'm Brian Pearcy, The Cardinal Carper, and today, we're embarking on an exciting journey to one of North America's most dynamic fishing spots - the Detroit River.

Here, amidst the urban hustle and bustle, lies a hidden gem for anglers chasing the legendary Common Carp. These powerful fish are known for their strength and cunning nature, making them a thrilling challenge for any angler.

As the current of the Detroit River flows, so does the potential for an unforgettable fishing experience. The sheer size and resilience of these carp are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

This one looks similar to the hybrid goldfish I've caught from Lake Erie. But with the size I'm leaning toward it just being a small, and young, common carp.

 

New Detroit River Personal Best

I just caught my new Detroit River PB this morning. I've been on a 4 year quest to land a 30+ pounder from the river. Keep in mind that I'm a show-up-and-fish-person. And, I primarily fish from 6 a.m. to about 3 p.m. on Saturday when the public parks are most accessible. 

I do not prebait, I don't fish where it's posted "no fishing", I dont have access to private land, use a kayak, have a personal home on the river, nor do I rent homes on the river so I can fish from the backyard for a few days. I fish from public parks about 12 to 13 times per year that are accessible to anyone and everyone (for a free admission).

I say this to emphasize that literally anyone with a desire, patience, and a little practice can catch large fish.

I've never understood fishing for small 1 or 2 pound (or even smaller) bass, catfish, or walleye like so many I see kept on stringers every week. It's just not my thing. I want to catch the larger, harder charging fish, if possible.

Pop over to YouTube. Search for "how to tie a hair rig for carp fishing" and go for it.

The common size carp around here is 12 to 14 pounds with an occasional 20 - 22 pounder landed a few times per month. So when I hooked into this Detroit River monster wannabee this morning I got pretty excited. 

This strong swimming river fish gets me as close as possible to 30 pounds without actually doing it. At 29 pounds and some ounces this fish got my hopes up for awhile and took some effort to land in the net (thanks Bill).

I'm not through for 2023. There's still time for the 30# in September and October, but this wonderful fish will help tide me over until it happens. I hope to see you out on the bank, pier, or riverwalk soon.