Maryland Angler Reels in Record-Breaking Giant Carp while Bass Fishing

Logan Kurhmann, a 24-year-old Essex resident, caught a 49-pound common carp (Cyprinus carpio) while bass fishing in the Susquehanna Flats, a shallow-water delta at the mouth of the Susquehanna River in the northernmost part of the Maryland Bay.

Record-Breaking Catch

The catch is a new state record for a carp in the Chesapeake Division, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which confirmed the weight of the fish.

Kurhmann's catch, which he initially mistook for a flathead or blue catfish, broke the previous carp state record in the Chesapeake Division set by Jimmy Lake in 1978 off Morgantown Beach with a 44.4-pound fish.

Kurhmann shared that he and his peers have seen some huge carps on the Flats, but none as large as their latest catch.

He went on to say that while the bass fishing was not great during their fishing trip, his record-breaking catch made his week.

Common Carp

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, common carp can grow to be between one and two feet long and weigh up to ten pounds.

Still, carp can reach enormous proportions, exceeding the usual length and weight.

The Kurhmann's catch, also known as the European carp, is a native of Eurasia that was introduced to the United States over a century ago and has since become a highly successful invasive species.

In some areas, the common carp is now regarded as a pest because of its widespread abundance and certain behaviors that can damage local systems.

The fish, which has been found in every state except Alaska, is a bottom-feeder, which means it hunts for food just above the surface of whatever body of water it is in.

Successful Invasion

According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, this can destroy vegetation and increase water turbidity, or muddiness, which can have negative consequences for other species that rely on these plants or prefer clear water.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) stated on their website that clear water is required by some predatory fish, such as pike, to see their prey.

Furthermore, an increase in water turbidity can reduce the amount of sunlight received by aquatic plants, causing them to grow slower or die.

This has ramifications for species that depend on these plants.

Common carp can be found in ponds, lakes, and the lower sections of rivers in North America, as well as brackish-water estuaries and bays.

The carp have been so successful as an invasive species because they reproduce quickly, with females laying up to two million eggs when spawning.

The fish species is also very tolerant of pollution.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources maintains state records for sports fish in four categories, namely, Atlantic, Nontidal, Chesapeake, and Invasive.

Wayne Longenecker caught a 47.5-pound carp at Frederick County Farm Pond in 1997, which is the largest carp in Maryland outside of the Chesapeake Division.