Freshwater species found in South Australia. Established throughout many freshwater systems, carp are present in the River Murray River, its lower lakes and tributaries, and most of the rivers draining west from the Mt Lofty Ranges (from the Light River north of Adelaide and south to the Inman River).
If discovered elsewhere, or you're aware of illegal release or possession of Koi carp, please report immediately to Fishwatch 1800 065 522 or via the SA Fishing app.
European carp is an extremely common and invasive species that:
- degrades waterways
- competes with native species for food.
Declared noxious under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. Noxious species are a severe threat to the natural environment and industries. They cannot be held or traded in South Australia without specific authorisation and must not be returned to the water if caught.
If you catch carp (including European, koi and mirror), humanely kill them, do not return them to the water. Dispose of them responsibly away from the water. If you see or catch carp outside of their known distribution, take photos and report it.
See the National Carp Control Plan for more information.