Although carp are not native to North America, the introduction of the fish to North American waterways and the prevalence of the fish today have made carp fishing an increasingly popular sport in this region of the globe. Concerned about the decline of fishing stocks in the waters of the United States, the federal government in the years following the Civil War began looking at ways to restock the country with fish for sport and for food. Eventually, it was recommended that carp, a prevalent fish in Europe, should be introduced. During the second half of the nineteenth century, carp was brought over from Europe and placed into bodies of water across the United States. Some were even sent to Canada, Mexico, and other portions of Central America, which is why carp fishing enjoys some popularity in those places as well.

After over a hundred years of carp fishing in the United States, carp fishermen have developed some advice for those who want to embark upon the sport for fun or to provide food for themselves or others. One of the most important things to remember when trying to land carp is that they are a fish that will be quick to take the bait that is offered but also quick to spit it out. Much of carp fishing, therefore, depends on work to outsmart the fish when the hook is baited so as to ensure that the carp will not let go of the baited hook once it has fallen for the lure.

First, those who have a lot of experience fishing for carp remind potential fishermen that carp like to feed from the surface of the water, so small pellets - like pieces of corn - are good because they tend to float on the surface. At the same time, it is also good to vary the size of bait as much as possible and use some large pieces along with the smaller ones. This tends to attract a greater number of carp to the fishing area and thus increases the odds of landing a fish.

Secondly, because carp tend to spit out the bait, experts also recommend that you choose a barbless hook when you are out carp fishing. The carp are more likely to detect that something is up if they feel a barb when they take the bait and therefore are more likely to spit it out. A barbless hook does a better job of fooling the fish and can be more effective in making the perfect catch.