Hooked on Tradition: Highlights from the 2025 Moses Lake Carp Classic
- Columbia Basin Conservation District
- 21 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The 2025 Moses Lake Carp Classic proved once again that a little wind and rain can’t dampen Eastern Washington’s competitive spirit. Held at Connelly Park in Moses Lake on May 17th, there was a great turnout of 27 boats and 73 participants, ready to take on the elements and each other. By the end of the day, participants had removed 351 carp, totaling an incredible 3,400 pounds of invasive fish removed from Moses Lake.
Congratulations to Jennifer Novak, who caught the biggest carp of the day at 25.8 lbs. The team that shot the biggest 10 fish—Jennifer Novak, Clint Novak, Chris Church, and Holly Church—hauled in a total of 178.4 lbs. of carp. The award for most carp shot went to Alex Mendoza and Victor Mendoza, who brought in an impressive 38 carp.
For Clint Novak and his teammates, the Moses Lake Carp Classic has become more than just a tournament—it's a yearly tradition built on teamwork, persistence, and shared memories. From a humble start in 2021 with no fish to this year’s big win, Clint’s team has returned each spring, driven not by the hope of prizes but by the fun, the people, and the shared purpose behind the event.
Their journey has included years of learning, growth, and the joy of introducing family to the experience. Clint credits the tournament’s community spirit and dedication to conservation as the reason they keep coming back year after year.
“The Carp Classic is more than just about winning something. You care about the lake, you care about the community, you care about the participants, you care about making it fun. Mission accomplished!” - Clint Novak 2025
On behalf of the Carp Classic team, Ty and Sandy Swartout would like to extend sincere thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and community members who made this year’s event possible. From awards and prizes to event support and community enthusiasm, your contributions are what make the Moses Lake Carp Classic such a success year after year. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to the 2026 Moses Lake Carp Classic!
