Because this fish looks like a slender trout, the angler thinks he has hooked a big one - until the fish is in the net. Although considered by many as too bony to eat, squawfish were an important part of the diet of California Indians and early settlers. Body gold-green with large scales. Two barbels hang from the rear of the upper lip. Carp feed and are active at temperatures as low as 40 degrees F, although they do best at about 74 degrees.
Carp eat plant and animal material which they stir up by rooting around in the bottom mud.
This fish is one of the few fresh water fish in California which are harvested commercially. Carp bite on dough balls or corn and when hooked will give the angler a good fight.