An enormous 52kg common carp has been caught at a Hungarian fishing lake, potentially setting a new world record. However, the extraordinary catch has already sparked heated debate among anglers over whether it should officially count as one.

Ash Hegarty landed the giant fish on 28 October at Euro Aqua Lake, near Balatonederics, a private fishing venue that has become internationally famous for its record-breaking carp. The fish weighed an astonishing 114lb 10oz (approximately 52kg), making it one of the largest carp ever caught.

The news was reported by Totally Carp Baits, while Hegarty himself also shared the achievement on Facebook, describing himself as a world record holder.

“Words genuinely cannot describe the emotions I’m feeling right now,” he wrote, adding that there was a huge story behind the catch. He also thanked the Euro Aqua team, saying that without their help, his dream would not have come true.

Read our fishing guide: Fishing in Hungary: A guide for foreigners, tourists, and expats

Hungary’s Euro Aqua Lake has a history of record-breaking catches

This is far from the first time Euro Aqua Lake has attracted international attention. Located between Balatonederics and Nemesvita, the private venue has been the setting for several extraordinary carp catches over the years.

In November 2018, Michel Schoenmakers caught a 51.2kg mirror carp at the same lake. For a long time, the fish was regarded as the world’s largest carp.

The venue has also repeatedly broken records in the common carp category. In May 2025, David Knock caught a 47.8kg specimen, setting a new benchmark for common carp.

Then, in May 2026, Richard Ince raised the bar again with a 49.5kg common carp, also at Euro Aqua Lake. Hegarty’s latest catch surpasses that figure by 2.5kg.

The new 52kg fish is even 800g heavier than Schoenmakers’ famous 2018 mirror carp. However, common carp and mirror carp are not always treated as the same category in record listings, and there has been no confirmed information about formal international verification of Hegarty’s catch.

Stay up-to-date with Hungary Weekly Briefing: subscribe on Substack!

VIDEO: See the enormous 52kg carp caught in Hungary

Reel Fishing News has also shared footage of the remarkable catch. The video shows the enormous common carp being held in the water by the angler, giving viewers a good impression of its extraordinary size.

Why are anglers questioning the potential world record?

Although Hegarty’s announcement attracted hundreds of congratulatory messages, it also triggered considerable criticism and debate on social media.

Some anglers questioned the significance of a record caught at an intensively managed, paid fishing venue. They argued that catches made in private lakes should not necessarily be compared directly with those achieved in natural waters.

Others raised questions about the weighing procedure and the circumstances in which the fish’s weight was established. However, these comments do not in themselves provide evidence of any irregularities.

Hungarian angling personality Gábor Döme also shared the news on Facebook, where reactions were similarly divided. While many users celebrated the extraordinary size of the fish and Hungary’s prominent position in international carp fishing, others questioned the role of private fishing lakes in establishing world records.

Whatever the outcome of the debate, one thing is certain: Euro Aqua Lake has once again put Hungary on the international carp fishing map.

Featured image: screenshot