The mirror carp is a popular fish found in New England, Europe, and North America. Often seen in areas with stagnant or slow-moving water, these fish can be caught with various fishing methods, including still fishing and bottom fishing. Bread balls and corn are the most popular baits used to catch mirror carp.
Habitat: Lake, River, Pond, Canal
How to identify Mirror Carp
Mirror carps get their name because of their mirror-like appearance. These fish have two barbels on both sides of their mouths. The bodies of the common carp are slightly more slender, whereas the mirror carp has a rounder body. Their coloring is rusty gold-yellow on their sides, transitioning into a white/cream abdomen. They have big, shiny scales with an irregular arrangement.
Where to catch Mirror Carp
These fish are found in New England and Europe in shallow, dirty waters such as ditches, rivers with minimal current, ponds, and lakes. They are also found in North America. They prefer the stagnant waters of lagoons, lakes, reed beds, slow-moving rivers, and sloughs. They usually stick near the bottom but will come to the surface to feed – especially in the spring and fall.
The following are habitats where you can catch Mirror Carp:
How to catch Mirror Carp
Mirror carp eat both plant matter and marine life, including water, insects, and crayfish. They are a common fish for anglers to target due to their strength. There are many different methods for catching them, including trolling, fly fishing, and sight fishing. In the fall and winter, it is best to fish for them in the middle of the day when the temperature is at its highest. In the summer, the best times to catch them in during sunrise and sunset. Mirror carp spook easily, so anglers need to keep their rods very still. Hair rigs can work well for mirror carp that seem to be hook shy. In addition to the methods already mentioned, mirror carp can be caught by bottom fishing and still fishing.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Mirror Carp:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Mirror Carp
Anglers often use small flies baited with bread balls and kernels of corn to catch mirror carp.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Mirror Carp:
