The Largest Carp Ever Caught in Wisconsin Was the Size of a Pig

While fishing is just a casual hobby for some, others dedicate themselves to it entirely! Many people in Wisconsin take this sport seriously, and there is a lot of competition among fishermen. Let’s discover just how big the largest carp ever caught in the state of Wisconsin was.

How Big Was the Largest Carp Caught in Wisconsin?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the largest carp ever caught in Wisconsin weighed in at an insane 59 pounds. To put it in perspective, the average pig weighs about 60 to 100 pounds in adulthood, so this fish was gigantic to say the least! The individual who caught this massive carp, Zachary Seitz, did so by using a crossbow instead of a classic hook and line. This occurred at Long Lake on May 25th, 2012. At the time of this catch, Zachary Seitz was only 18 years old, making this an even more impressive catch. The largest carp caught in Wisconsin using a hook and line weighed 57 pounds and two ounces. This record-breaking fish was a bighead carp caught on August 28th, 1966, in Lake Wisconsin.

More Information About Carp in Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin has been home to a variety of different carp for over a century. Despite what you may think, these fish weren’t always present in Wisconsin waters. In fact, they are considered an invasive species, and fishing for them is encouraged by local wildlife groups. According to the Clean Lakes Alliance, these fish were brought over to America intentionally as a food source. However, “due to their ability to rapidly reproduce and tolerate a wide range of environments, they quickly spread into waterways throughout the country.” In addition to the common carp, there are four invasive species of Asian carp in Wisconsin: the bighead carp, the black carp, the grass carp, and the silver carp. All of these carp have a habit of out-competing native species. Because of this, fishermen should never catch and release.

Final Thoughts

Fishing for carp has been a popular pastime for Wisconsin residents for decades. The friendly competition of catching massive fish is one many people enjoy, and throughout the years, some amazing fish have surfaced. Although these record-breaking carps are utterly mind-blowing, other local fishermen have their eyes set on breaking this record. Because carp are so abundant and grow to incredible sizes, this dream will likely come true sometime in the future!