Minnesota’s Urban Carp Fly Fishing Tournament
Chase Minnesota’s freshwater bonefish. Protect local waters. Have a ridiculously good time doing it.
Carpicide is Minnesota’s original urban carp fly fishing tournament—a one-day celebration of fly angling, conservation, and the wild fish swimming beneath our city streets. Each year, anglers gather to target one of North America’s most controversial species: the common carp.
This is part fishing tournament, part community cleanup, part food-fueled party—and 100% good-natured chaos in the best way.
If you love fly fishing, exploring overlooked water, and doing something that actually makes a difference, Carpicide is for you.
What Is Carpicide?
Carpicide is a catch-and-release fly fishing tournament focused on carp and other urban species. Anglers fish across the metro area, documenting their catches and competing in multiple playful and competitive categories—from biggest carp to most trash picked up.
It’s designed to be
- Competitive without being cut-throat
- Social without being stuffy
- Conservation-minded without being preachy
Whether you’re a hardcore carp fanatic or someone who just discovered how fun these fish are on a fly rod, Carpicide gives you a reason to explore, connect, and fish with intention.
How It Works
Registered anglers
- Check in on event day to receive an official Carpicide tag, measuring tools, and event swag
- Fish during the official tournament window anywhere in the metro area
- Document each catch with a photo using their Carpicide tag and official event hashtag
- Return for a shared potluck, awards, and storytelling at the end of the day
All fishing is
- Fly fishing only
- Artificial flies only
- Catch and release
- No snagging, shooting, or baiting
The focus is on ethical angling, clean water, and shared experience.
The Culture
Carpicide isn’t just about a tournament. It’s about
- Biking between urban lakes
- Peering into stormwater ponds
- Crawling along creek banks
- Laughing with strangers who quickly become fishing friends
You’ll meet carp nerds, fly tiers, environmentalists, guides, first-timers, and people who just wanted to eat good food and talk about fish.
And yes—there will be fish stories.
Tournament Categories
Each year, anglers compete for a mix of bragging rights, prizes, and eternal glory. Categories typically include
- Biggest Carp
- Most Carp Caught
- Smallest Carp
- Biggest Native Species
- Most Trash Picked Up
- Best Potluck Dish (Grand Prize)
You don’t have to win anything to have a great day—but you just might.
The Potluck + Awards
After the fishing wraps up, everyone gathers for a shared meal, awards ceremony, and storytelling session.
Bring a dish. Swap fish tales. Cheer on winners. Meet people you’ll fish with for years to come.
The potluck is where Carpicide becomes more than a tournament—it becomes a community.
Why Carp?
Carp are powerful, smart, spooky, and incredibly fun on a fly rod. They’re also one of the most controversial fish in our waters.
By targeting carp
- We call attention to overlooked fishing opportunities
- We raise awareness of our impacts on the watershed
- We turn problem fish into meaningful sport
Carpicide makes urban conservation local, hands-on, and fun.
Who Should Fish Carpicide?
Carpicide is for
- Fly anglers who love a challenge
- People curious about urban fishing
- Conservation-minded anglers
- Folks who enjoy community events with dirt under their nails
- Anyone who thinks fishing should be fun, weird, and social
You don’t need to be a pro—you just need a fly rod and a sense of adventure.
Join the Chaos
Carpicide happens once a year, but the spirit lives all season long.
Come fish hard. Eat well. Pick up trash. Tell stories. Make friends. And chase some of the hardest fighting fish in the city.
This is Carpicide.