Species

Crucian carp

A deep-bodied relative of the carp without barbels that survives even in oxygen-poor ponds and is highly threatened in Germany.

Carassius carassius

Photo: Harka, Akos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: May and June; the eggs stick to water plants in shallow, densely vegetated water (general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: highly threatened
Typical method: Float fishing
Top bait: Maggots

Plan a day fishing for Crucian carp

How to recognise it

Deep, carp-like body without barbels
Dorsal fin curved outwards (convex), tail fin only slightly notched
Brownish back with a greenish sheen, fins often slightly reddish

Easily confused with: Easily confused with the Prussian carp: the crucian carp has an outward-curved dorsal fin and usually 32 to 34 scales along the lateral line, the Prussian carp a straight or concave dorsal fin; in the Prussian carp the lining of the body cavity is almost black. The lack of barbels sets it apart from the common carp.

How to catch it

Methods: Float fishing, Feeder fishing, Ledgering (bottom fishing)

Baits: Maggots, Sweetcorn, Worm, Paste, Small boilie

FishBase states that it feeds all day but mainly at night; large crucian carp are often active at night (Wikipedia).

Habitat and food

Shallow, densely vegetated lakes, ponds and backwaters in the floodplains of large rivers; it avoids cold, fast-flowing waters. In muddy small waters it survives for several weeks almost without oxygen and even when the water freezes solid.

Small animals such as midge and mayfly larvae, small snails and mussels as well as plants; FishBase adds plankton and detritus.

Size and age

Can reach 64 cm and 3 kg; a crucian carp of 3.5 kg was caught in Austria in 2004, and in Russia they reach up to 5 kg (Wikipedia). FishBase: max. 64 cm, heaviest published weight 3.0 kg, maximum age 10 years.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (freshwater fish 2023): highly threatened, as already in 2009. IUCN: not threatened (Least Concern, 2023). Check the local rules before you go fishing.

Crucian carp: closed season and minimum size by German state

Bavariaprotected all year
Berlinprotected all year
Hesseprotected all year
Rhineland-Palatinateprotected all yearprotected all year only in some waters
Saarlandprotected all year only in some waters
Saxonyminimum size 15 cm · closed season 01.02. to 30.06.
Thuringiaminimum size 15 cm · closed season 01.04. to 31.05.

From the official state fisheries regulations, retrieved 2026-10-11. All rules by state

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state and can be stricter for single waters. All rules by state, with the legal source

In the kitchen

In Poland it is considered a particularly tasty pan fish, traditionally served with sour cream (English Wikipedia). Because it is highly threatened, only take crucian carp where it is allowed, and do so consciously.

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-13. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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