He added, “The catfish was older than me. Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists, and regional offices. We had a great spring where we received plenty of rain that kept our rivers and lakes full, giving fish plenty of food and numerous areas to spread out," MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. The largest of our Big Three species is the blue catfish. The new world record blue catfish was caught Saturday night June 18th, 2011 at John H. Kerr-Buggs Island Lake near Clarksville Virginia. According to research by the U.S. The fish is a new Missouri record and is larger than the current records recognized by the International Game Fish Association and the Xplor helps kids find adventure in their own backyard. Flathead Catfish (Alternative Methods) Weight: 99 lbs.- 0 oz. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale at the post office in Liberty. When asked what it was like to release what was possibly a new state record catfish, Troy responded, “It was a hard decision to make”. Courtesy photo Weighing in at 100 pounds, it’s a whopper of a story. – Mathew McConkey of Kansas City became the most recent record-breaking fisherman in Missouri when he caught his giant flathead catfish on the Missouri River using a trotline. Missouri State Fishing Records: We are just getting the Missouri records section started sorry for the lack of records information. Free to residents of Missouri. "The giant moved my 17-foot Lowe boat around like it was nothing.". On Saturday, June 6th, Richard Hagen hooked into a Flathead Catfish in the Missouri River near Brownville that would crush the state record. Missouri State Record Fish Program Rules Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. Richard Hagen couldn’t find Brutus a home, so he drove back to the Missouri River with the 89-pound flathead catfish swimming in an old deep freezer … Caption : The Missouri state record catch for flathead catfish was set in 2015. Fish and Wildlife Service Missouri is one of the top-five states for fishing. A Nebraska angler has shattered the state record for flathead catfish with the catch last Saturday of an 89-pound behemoth he fought for 45 minutes. "I've caught several big fish in the Missouri River, but this one is by far the biggest and most memorable," McConkey said. A fish must weigh 1 pound (16 ounces) or more to be eligible for state record status. "I still can't believe I caught this giant of a fish and broke the state record. There hasn't been this many new state records since 2002, when there were 10. He caught the fish around 10:30 a.m. on a four-inch goldfish. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Back when the big rivers ran wild, blue cats... CHANNEL CATFISH. – Mathew McConkey of Kansas City became the most recent record-breaking fisherman in Missouri when he caught his giant flathead catfish on the Missouri River using a trotline. 61 inches Rod & Reel w/jig and minnow Elk City Reservoir 05/14/98 Ken Paulie, Caney CATFISH… The new "alternative methods" record flathead catfish caught by McConkey on Sept. 19 weighed 100 pounds and was 57-inches long. Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching and arson. McConkey's record-breaking flathead catfish makes eight new state-record fish for 2015. According to Nebraska Game and Parks, a new record has been set for rod and reel caught flathead catfish. True trophies travel the waters of the Missouri with the state record flathead catfish being caught near Riverside in 2015. Jonathan Pierce reeled the monstrous flathe… For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/1NPhOqG. So when the weather is great and more anglers get out on the water, that's when we see state records broken.". The Kansas state record is also the world record. "Our rod & reel state record for flathead catfish has stood for years at 80 pounds. Bernal fought his big catch for … [citation needed] The world angling record flathead catfish was caught May 14, 1998, from Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, and weighed 123 lb 9 oz (56.0 kg). Mathew McConkey of Kansas City became the most recent record-breaking fisherman in Missouri when he caught his giant flathead catfish on the Missouri River using a trotline. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. "This year has been a great year for fishing for many reasons. CLAY COUNTY, Mo. Conservation makes Missouri a great place for more than a million anglers to fish for flathead catfish and more than 20 other sport-fish species. CLAY COUNTY, Mo. "Our summer was mild, which many anglers took to their advantage and fished more. Another record has been broken in Missouri, with the catch of a 100-pound flathead catfish on a trotline in the Missouri River in Clay County. The river produces good numbers of catfish over 50 pounds, even in downtown Kansas City. The record for the largest flathead catfish belongs to Ken Paulie, who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago. Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching and arson, Stay in Touch with MDC news, newsletters, events, and manage your subscription. The catfishing world exploded with chatter on June 18, 2011, with talk of a new world record blue catfish, much larger than the previous largest catfish ever caught. He caught the 57-pound, nearly 50-inch long fish on Dec. 27, 2020 while fishing near the Lapidum Boat Ramp on the Susquehanna River in Havre de Grace. Channel catfish are known for their strong sense of smell, spunky attitude, and delicious flavor. Strictly predatory, the flathead is caught with live bait and occasionally lures, usually at night. The new "alternative methods" record flathead catfish caught by McConkey on Sept. 19 weighed 100 pounds and was 57-inches long. Cecil County, Maryland angler Joshua Dixon just became the first person to hold the state record for flathead catfish, an invasive species. Fishing with trotlines is considered an alternative method and consist of heavy fishing line with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of drop lines. Stay in Touch with MDC news, newsletters, events, and manage your subscription. Wednesday, June 10th 2020, 3:48 PM CDT. A color photograph of the angler with the fish can be submitted to Game, Fish and Parks personnel along … To replace the existing record, a fish must weigh at least one ounce more. The new “alternative methods” record flathead catfish caught by McConkey on Sept. 19 weighed 100 pounds and was 57-inches long. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Catfish are among the most popular and commonly pursued freshwater fish in the world. The new behemoth broke the previous alternative-method state-record flathead catfish of 99 pounds caught on the Missouri River in 2010. My goal now is to catch an even bigger fish and break the world-record," McConkey said. When discussing catfish world records, however, it is important to keep in mind that there are three major species of catfish in the United States: channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish. Kansas City fisherman sets new state record with flathead catfish. Channel catfish swim in ponds, rivers, lakes, and creeks making them accessible to anglers across the country. A drop line is a short length of line which is attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook at the other end. The longtime fisherman said the fish is now skinned and in his freezer ready to be eaten. The biggest Blue catfish was caught in 2004 in the Missouri … Missouri River 08/11/12 Robert Stanley, Olathe CATFISH, CHANNEL 36.5 lbs. Weighing in at 100 pounds, it’s a whopper of a story. Jolley continued, “This Flathead caught could easily be over 20 years old”. Also called the calico cat, the flathead is mottled brown to nearly yellow in color. The Missouri record, until Tuesday, was a 103-pound catfish caught with a pole and line in 1991 on the Missouri River. The Missouri state record catch for flathead catfish was set in 2015. The Record Flathead Catfish For Every State In America Flathead catfish are … Watts Bar no doubt has the right ingredients to produce trophy Flathead Catfish”. But before he skinned it he took several measurements, and he said he plans to have a replica made in the future. Our monthly publication about conservation in Missouri--free to all residents. However, a record from 1982, caught by "other methods", shows that the flathead catfish would be North Americas longest species of catfish, after a specimen pulled from the Arkansas River measured 175 cm (69 in.) The flathead catfish is an important commercial and sport fish along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and is commonly taken by sport fishers in large streams and reservoirs over most of Missouri. Other alternative methods include: bowfishing, throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, and atlatl. Record Setting Flathead Catfish Caught In Missouri River At Brownville. If you have a picture of any of these records you would be willing to share, send them to us at Todd@outdoors-411.com. Flathead: 22.46, Dallas Stanton, North Platte River, 4/18/2004 *IGFA-recognized world record **IGFA recognizes the world white catfish record (19 pounds, 5 ounces, 2005) as being caught in California, but the state’s official record (22-0, 1994) is heavier Free to residents of Missouri. "Once I grabbed the line I knew right away that I had big one," McConkey said. Xplor helps kids find adventure in their own backyard. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Looking at the World Record Catfish: Channel, Flathead, Blue. The same weekend the flathead record was broken, a 99-pound blue catfish … and weighed 63.45 kg (139 lbs … The giant Missouri flathead record catfish broke the previous alternative-method state-record flathead catfish of 99 pounds caught on the Missouri River in 2010. Paulie’s flathead catfish weighed 123 pounds (55.79 kilograms) and was over 5 feet (1.55 meters) in length. 38 inches Rod & Reel w/fish entrails Mined Land, WA-Cherokee Co. 06/03/03 RickBarnow, Humboldt CATFISH, FLATHEAD 123 lbs. Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. The new behemoth broke the previous alternative-method state-record flathead catfish of 99 pounds caught on the Missouri River in 2010, according to an MDC news release. But … The record Flathead catfish caught in Iowa was 81-pounds, caught in 1958 in Ellis Lake near Chariton. Richard Hagen caught an 89-pound flathead catfish — a new state record — in the Missouri River in June 2020. Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists, and regional offices. By Marcus Lind. The Channel Catfish is one of America’s most popular gamefish. Our monthly publication about conservation in Missouri--free to all residents. As the name implies, this catfish has a broad, flat head with a jutting lower jaw. Missouri's Record Catfish A LITTLE HISTORY. Most Recent World Record Catfish. A Pennsylvania angler, using a trout head for bait, caught a 56.3-pound flathead catfish last Sunday night to set a pending state record for the species. Richard Hagen.