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World Record Contenders: The Waters Where Giants Live
Carp Social | Feature Date: 18 May 2025
Every carp angler, whether they like to admit it or not, has daydreamed about landing that fish. The one that doesn’t just smash your PB but shakes the entire carp world. The question is: where on earth do these record-busting carp actually live?
Luckily Carp Social have scoured social media and pulled together a working list of the waters currently producing some of the largest carp on the planet. This isn’t pub talk or a dusty list of 10-year-old long dead lake records. It’s based on reported captures from the 2024/25 season—some well-documented, others still flying slightly under the radar.
From the famous to the underrated, here are 11 venues with verified monsters and a real shot at producing a future world record.
1. Euro Aqua, Hungary
Top weight reported: 105lb 4oz
90lb+ fish: 10 known
Love it or loathe it, Euro Aqua is the place that keeps rewriting the record books. The biggest officially recorded carp in history came from here—and there are at least ten more over 90lb known to be present. Whatever your opinion on the venue, the numbers don’t lie.
2. Gigantica, France
Top fish: 105lb IMMACULATE
80lb+ fish: 3 known
A venue that began as Lac Christophe has morphed into a European big-fish powerhouse. Gigantica continues its impressive rise, recently securing second place in the rankings and entering the elite 100lb club. This milestone was marked on June 2nd, 2025, when the “Immaculate Common” was landed at a staggering 105lb.
3. Merenye, Hungary
Top weight reported: 101lb
Another Hungarian heavy-hitter. While not as widely covered in the press, reports of a 101lb+ fish here have turned heads. It’s a big venue with big potential—and clearly some big carp to back it up.
4. Brittany Forest Lakes, France
Main Lake – 95lb
Brittany’s Forrest Lake – Main Lake earns the No. 4 spot on our 90lb watchlist with absolute justification—this is no speculative pick. The current lake record stands at a colossal 95lb mirror, already placing it among the elite.
5. Lac du Der, France
90lb+ fish: 4 - 5 reported
One of Europe’s largest public waters and a true inland sea. Lac du Der is a test of patience, prep, and endurance—but the rewards are real. Several 90s have been reported, and who knows what’s still uncaught in its vast depths?
6. Graviers, France
Top weight: 93lb 4oz
Best known for “Scar” or more recently “The Brown Fish”, Graviers remains one of the most iconic big carp venues ever! These days there’s a new fish in town and at 93lb 4oz, it’s living up to the legacy of its predecessors.
7. Atlantide, Italy
Top weight: 92lb 5oz
One of Italy’s rising stars, Atlantide has quietly built a rep for big fish. The top fish here recently hit 92lb 5oz, confirming it as a serious player on the European big-carp map.
8. Leon Lake, France
Reported fish: 92lb and x1 80lb+
Less talked about than others, but we like it that way. Two big fish over 80lb place Leon Lake firmly on the radar, with one nudging into the 90s.
9. IG Carp Lake, Austria
Top weight: 91lb
Austria isn’t always the first country anglers associate with record-busting carp, but IG Carp is changing that. The top fish was recently recorded at 91lb.
10. CarpInsula, Belgium
Top fish: 90lb
A private Belgian/Benelux venue producing huge fish under the radar. CarpInsula has made a quiet entry into the big-carp conversation, but with a confirmed 90-pounder, it deserves a spot on this list.
11. Parco del Brenta, Italy
Top weight: 90lb
A long-standing name in the Italian scene, Parco del Brenta continues to produce upper-tier fish, including a confirmed 90lb monster.
Runners-up: Big, but not quite 90 yet…
These venues are already producing high 70s or 80’s and could easily break into the 90lb+ club, some for the second time around!
12. Lac Serene, France – 89lb
13. Mar Peche, France – 87lb
14. Sumbar, Croatia – 88lb
15. Zajarki, Croatia – 85lb
16. Big Carp Lake, Hungary 84lb
17. Lac de Curton (Rainbow), France – 81lb 4oz
18. Bluewater, France – 80lb 2oz
19. Lake Orellana, Spain – 79lb
20. Lac Iannis, Romania – 79lb
What about venues 21, 22 and more?
We’ve left a few spaces open. Why? Because somewhere out there, tucked behind the trees or hidden in a forgotten gravel pit, the next record carp is waiting—and it might not be in the limelight yet.
Got a venue you think we’ve missed? Seen something huge that’s yet to go public? Drop us a line or email catchreports@carpsocial.com
THE CARP SOCIAL WATCHLIST: MONSTERS IN THE MAKING
Carp Social have been quietly keeping tabs on a number of waters that—whisper it—could well be the next big-thing venues when it comes to monster carp. We’re talking potential 90s here. Maybe bigger. And the lakes in question? You’ll probably know the names, but it’s what’s going on beneath the surface right now that’s got our attention.
Etang le Saussaie – The former 100lb’er lake in France has somewhat slipped off the radar in recent years, but make no mistake—this is still a serious big fish venue. With the right management and some of the original stock still kicking about, the genetics are there. Carp Social reckon this place could bounce back hard, and don’t be surprised if a high-90 shows up sooner rather than later.
Orlat Lake, Romania – Eastern Europe’s carp scene is booming, and Orlat is right at the epicentre. Fast growth rates, pristine water conditions, and a lake that’s clearly got the right formula. Word is, there are fish nudging well into the upper-70s. With time—and the kind of obsessive attention the Romanians are known for—90s here are not a matter of if, but when.
Etang des Teillatts – One of the most iconic venues in France, Teillatts has consistently done big carp over the years. Now, with better feeding strategies and a maturing stock, some very serious fish are on the cusp. Quiet captures of mid-to-upper 80s suggest it’s only a matter of time before one tips the scales into truly elite territory.
Lac des Lesmont – slips into our 90lb watchlist as a serious contender with pedigree to match. Topping out at 76lb 8oz currently—and previously breaking the 80lb barrier—this lake has proven big fish form. Now under the expert management of the same team behind Etang de Beany and Bluewater Lake, expectations are sky-high. With elite-level care, proper feeding, and a focus on long-term growth, Lesmont is primed to bring another true giant through the ranks. The foundations are already in place—now it’s just a waiting game.
The Bottom Line?
Carp Social believe these lakes are ones to watch. Big fish potential isn’t just about weight—it’s about water quality, management, and time. And these three venues are ticking every box. The next 90 might not be from where you’d expect… but we wouldn’t bet against it being from here.
In summary…
This isn’t a fantasy list, probably. We feel it’s a living leaderboard based on reported captures from the past two years. While exact weights and verification can vary, these venues have produced fish that speak for themselves. Whether you’re a bucket-list angler or a record-chaser, this is where you should be looking next.
List compiled by Carp Social | May 2025
Weights based on reported captures during the 2024/25 season.
Everything You Need to Know About the Current World Record Carp
The world record carp continues to capture the imagination of anglers around the globe. This massive fish, often caught in the lakes of Europe, has shattered expectations with its unbelievable size and weight. The most recent record-breaking carp, weighing over 100 pounds, was landed by an experienced angler after an intense battle that lasted hours. These giants are typically mirror or common carp, and their incredible size is the result of ideal conditions, careful feeding, and strict catch-and-release practices in well-managed fisheries.
Anglers from around the world travel to top destinations like Hungary, France, and Romania hoping to catch a glimpse — or even a personal best — of a potential record-breaking carp. The chase for the world record carp isn’t just about size; it’s also about the story, the preparation, and the thrill of achieving something truly rare. Whether you’re a seasoned carp fisherman or just starting out, following these records and learning from the techniques used can bring you closer to landing your own monster catch.
World Record Carp: The biggest carp on the planet and the lakes they live in.
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