State Symbols Game
State Fish
The Common Carp?
Oops. The common carp (scientific name Cyprinus carpio) is not is the State Fish of Illinois.
Even though it is not even native to North America, it is found throughout the state. The common carp is a large minnow that was introduced to North America from Europe in 1876 because there was a market for them among many German immigrants. The common carp lives in a wide variety of habitats and frequently displaces native fish.