Silver carp Fishing

A large plankton-feeding cyprinid present in huge numbers in the Tisza, the Danube and Lake Tisza. Because it filter-feeds it is rarely taken on ordinary baits: Hungarian anglers use the dedicated 'busás' rig, small bare hooks suspended in a cloud of liquid attractant soaked into a sponge or a flour slurry. In warm, calm summer weather the shoals cruise near the surface. Fish reach 10-20 kg and fight extremely hard, so use 0.35 mm or heavier line and a big net. As an invasive species it carries no size or bag limit in Hungary.

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Season calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
MayJunJulAugSep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Active period

Season
May–September
Water temperature
16–30 °C
Behaviour
Shoaling baitfish

Techniques

  • Dedicated sponge-bait rig
  • near-surface presentation

Frequently asked

When is the best time to catch silver carp?
The productive window for silver carp runs May–September.
What water temperature does silver carp feed in?
Silver carp is most active between 16 and 30 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
How do you fish for silver carp?
Common methods: Dedicated sponge-bait rig, near-surface presentation.

Species that fish under similar conditions

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