The Multifaceted Carp

Mankato, Minnesota had a “moment on stage” as a result of local entrepreneur, Armin Kleinschmidt’s, idea that canned carp could provide a delicious and valuable food source for the military and civilian citizenry during WWII. He took his idea from a spark to an operating business within an unprecedented few months. The history of carp in this country has been a series of swings from respect to disdain. First introduced into US waters by the government as a popular immigrant food source, today carp is considered by some a valuable recreational and food resource and by others a pest and a danger to the environment. Here the author gives us a historical perspective on carp, details the history of Mankato’s carp canning venture and discusses environmental impacts and entrepreneurial ventures regarding carp today.