Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Mirror Carp have two barbels ("whiskers") on each side of the mouth.

They are generally fuller and more rounded in shape then Common Carp.

Most are bronze/gold to golden yellow on the sides and yellowish/white on the belly.

They have irregular and patchy scaling. Individual scales can be rather large and shiny.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Statewide
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Mirror Carp, like common carp, prefer murky shallow water of ponds, sloughs, ditches, and rivers. They are omnivores feeding on vegetable matter, as well as crayfish, and aquatic insects.
Did You Know?	Mirror Carp are an introduced species to Delaware (meaning they are non-native). The Mirror Carp is a mutation of the Common Carp. It is believed that the fish was bred by monks in Asia to have a lack of scales which made it easier to prepare for the dinner table.
Common Lures and Baits	Mirror Carp can be caught with small flies in clearer water. Bait often includes canned corn, pieces of bread rolled into marble size balls, or marble size dough balls.
Typical Sizes Caught	Mirror Carp are commonly caught at weights of 1 to 10 pounds by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 29 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 27inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 15 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 11 pounds minimum Mirror Carp are eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and Live Release "Carp" awards, but not currently eligible for an individual species award.
Delaware State Record	45 pounds Ronald Burnett 1976 "Carp" is a general category for Delaware records and can be Common Carp or Mirror Carp. Mirror Carp are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government