A series of chain reactions, such as global warming, rising sea levels, endangered species, and oxygen depletion, have caused serious damage to ecosystems and posed tremendous challenges to the survival of humans and other living organisms. Consequently, the task of reducing global carbon emissions has become imperative and urgent. In response, China demonstrated its firm determination in 2020 by committing to achieve carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. As climate change and environmental pollution issues become increasingly prominent, the need for China to reduce carbon emissions and achieve low-carbon, green, and sustainable development has become more critical. Freshwater aquaculture, as an important production activity, has attracted widespread attention due to its carbon emissions. Under the influence of scientific and technological progress and policy guidance, China has begun to explore a decoupling path for the freshwater aquaculture industry, aiming to separate economic growth from carbon emissions and seek a sustainable development model. To promote the absolute decoupling of carbon emissions and economic growth in freshwater aquaculture, this paper employs the decoupling model and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition model. It calculates the decoupling index of freshwater aquaculture carbon emissions and economic growth in China from 2011 to 2021 at both the national and regional levels. The study also analyzes the underlying reasons for the decoupling status among different provinces and explores the driving factors of this decoupling state. The results showed that: ① At the macro level, freshwater aquaculture carbon emission in China exhibited an initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then an increase again during the study period. The coupling relationship between carbon emissions and economic growth in freshwater aquaculture remained relatively stable. ② At the regional level, the coupling relationship was categorized into four types, with significant differences observed among provinces. ③ In terms of influencing factors, production efficiency and labor intensity had a positive effect on reducing carbon emissions in freshwater aquaculture, while economic development intensity and industrial structure contributed to increased carbon emissions. The research also found that the coupling relationship between freshwater aquaculture carbon emissions and economic growth was unbalanced. Economic intensity is the primary driver of increased carbon emissions, and improving production efficiency and labor intensity can help enhance its coupling relationship. This paper provides a basis and reference for the formulating carbon emission reduction policies in freshwater aquaculture. It holds significant practical importance for promoting the coordinated development of freshwater aquaculture ecology and economy, accelerating industrial transformation, and contributing to the achievement of China's "dual carbon" goals.