Utah Manna: Cyprinus Carpio

Cyprinus Carpio, The European Carp, The Common Carp; are all names for what many Utahns' call a "Trash Fish". I suppose if we had the Ark of the Covenant we could place a big ol carp head in it so we can remember the carp given by God that was given to the families of Utah years ago. I suppose that is why the ancient Israelites placed mannah within the Ark of the Covenant along with the tablets from the days of Moses. It was so they would never forget their roots and how God watches over them.

Manna

When the early pioneers arrived to the Utah territory there were reports of fish so thick in Utah Lake that you could walk accross them at the mouth of the rivers emtying into Utah Lake. This was a great food source for the early pioneers and it was used in great abundance. So much so that the species of fish became very much depleated. In 1883 Govenor Bigham Young commisioned a replinishment program for the fish in Utah Lake, introducing the European Carp which was the sportfish of the day. That commision proved to be very resourceful as the fish became very prolific. Later it was the sorce of salvation for many families through two different depressions. It was the perfect fish for the job. The carp were shipped on trains and transported to ponds and barrels for families accross the state. The fish were able to survive the trip and live. That is a very good thing for a day before refrigeration became popular. Families recieved fresh fish for the day and many days to come. The fish are big and meaty and amazingly resilliant. It was quite the miracle, much like the seagulls that saved the crops from the mormon crickets that plagued the early pioneers. Today we have the historical monument in Salt Lake City to memorialize the salvation through those seagulls. I wish we had a carp monument for the same reason. 

The Seagull Story

Needless to say that the fish have been a blessing. It is a shame that we have forgoten. Besides that, they really are a fun fish to catch and a hardy fish to eat. 

I am not what I would call a carp fisherman but they are so pleniful that sometimes you catch them by accident. When you do have a "carp on" scenario you realize how amazing it is to pull in one of these beasts. Most people after catching one just through it to the side and leave it for the birds. I would offer the "Carp Challenge" and that is this: Stop listening to bad advice. Scale it (it scales just like other fish, the scales are just bigger), fillet it and cook it just like you would any other fish. I have even tried it in the smoker. Amazing!

The Common Carp is the most underrated fish in Utah. They are amazing to watch during their spring spawn and can be seen comming up the shallows, porpoising, and jumping up the waterfalls much like salmon.