(코리아타운뉴스) McArthur Park Lake is a Fishing Dock

A 35-pound carp caught by a Hispanic man

Viral reaction has ensued after a Hispanic man caught an abnormally large fish at the lake in MacArthur Park near Los Angeles Koreatown.

Sergio Talavera, 45, caught a 35-pound carp at MacArthur Park’s lake, LAist reported on March 14.

Talavera is a passionate fisherman, who goes fishing at least twice a week.
“That place holds huge fish,” Talavera said of the lake at MacArthur Park, according to LAist. “We don’t catch anything under five pounds in that place.”

Talavera said that the state government has made a constant effort to stock the lake with large fish. He then explained that he once caught a 37-pound carp.

A lover of animals, Talavera lets go of the fish he catches as soon as possible. He also uses equipment that do not pose any threat to the fish. His fishing habits follow the strict guidelines of the club he belongs to, California Ghetto Carping.

California Ghetto Carping adamantly bans abusing or causing injuries to the fish. The club was first founded for fishermen who wished to try out locations that are not frequently visited by others. After starting off as a two-man club, it now boasts hundreds of members.

The members of California Ghetto Carping go out to MacArthur Park or Magic Johnson Park at least once a month. They hope to change the perception that MacArthur Park is dangerous and that the water quality is poor.

Talavera is not ashamed to admit that he once belonged to a gang.
“Fishing can keep you out of trouble,” Talavera said. “If you caught one yesterday at 35 [pounds], now you want to catch one at 37. You just want to keep on catching something bigger. That’s my thing. I’m going for the state record.”


By Jae Ra Kim