The accumulation levels of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) were measured in samples of muscle tissue from crucian carp (Carassius auratus) and also in samples of associated sediments. Samples were collected from 15 sites along the courses of four major rivers. Widespread contamination by HBCDs in this area was identified from the results of this investigation. HBCDs were found above the detection limit from all of the sampling sites. The ${Sigma}HBCDs$ (sum of ${alpha}$-, ${eta}$-, and ${gamma}$-HBCDs) levels ranged from 1.3 to 19 ng/g (lipid wt) in the crucian carp musscle tissue samples, and from 0.17 to 30 ng/g (dry wt) in the associated sediment samples. The predominance of ${alpha}$-diastereomer in the muscle tissue of the carp and ${gamma}$-diastereomer in the sediments was identified, accounting for 88% and 60% of the ${Sigma}HBCDs$, respectively. The ${Sigma}HBCDs$ levels in the muscle tissue samples of carp collected from the upstream sections of each river were much lower than those in the samples from carp in the downstream sections. In addition, the ${Sigma}HBCDs$ levels in carp tissue samples from an isolated site were much lower than those in carp collected from the sites along the major rivers. This suggests that HBCD contamination in the rivers is likely to be sourced from the environment adjacent to them.