State Record Fish

Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. MDC has developed the State Record Fish Program to acknowledge and honor anglers who have caught the largest recorded fish from a list of recognized species found in Missouri waters.

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  1. To qualify, the applicant’s fish must:
    • be captured by legal methods from Missouri waters, by the holder of a valid permit or proof of exemption.
    • be a species included on the Missouri State Record Fish list.
    • meet or exceed the current record.
  2. New open records must meet or exceed the Master Angler Award minimum weight for that species to be considered.
  3. Anglers may be recognized in two different categories: “pole and line” or “alternative methods” (this includes trotlines, throwlines, limblines, banklines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, bow, crossbow or atlatl).
  4. Fish must be weighed on a certified scale in the presence of an employee of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
  5. The entry must be examined by a Missouri Department of Conservation staff member familiar with the genus. Contact any Department office, or if after business hours, the local conservation agent. If a positive identification cannot be made with certainty, the assistance of a designated fish identification expert must be sought.  Call a Department Regional Office to be connected with the nearest identification expert. The Department reserves the right to consult additional biologists to confirm the identity of the species.
  6. Potential record fish may be frozen while awaiting identification but must be thawed for weighing. Fish should not be mounted or consumed prior to receiving the results of the entry form review and certification.
  7. Genetic testing, for positive identification, and x-raying for weight authentication, will be performed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, when necessary, for positive identification at no cost to the applicant.
  8. A photo of the fish is required, with views showing areas key to identification preferred, as well as a photo of the person with the fish.
Think you have a record?
State Record Fish Entry Form243.61 KB
State Record Fish Entry Form
Master Angler Award

Latest State Record Fish

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Displaying 51 - 60 of 136

Alternative method: Trotline: Catfish: Blue

Burr Edde (left) with his state record blue catfish, March 2015
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Burr Edde (left) with his state record blue catfish, March 2015
Weight
120 lbs.
8 oz.
Lake or Stream
Missouri River
Date
03/21/2015
Angler
Burr P. Edde III
Hometown
Malta Bend, MO

Alternative method: Trotline: Sturgeon: Shovelnose

Joe McMullen holds his state record shovelnose sturgeon
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Joe McMullen holds his state record shovelnose sturgeon
Weight
2 lbs.
3 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
04/14/2013
Angler
Joe McMullen
Hometown
Sullivan, MO

Alternative method: Bow: Gar: Longnose

Chris Kimble holds his state record longnose gar
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Chris Kimble holds his state record longnose gar
Weight
35 lbs.
9 oz.
Lake or Stream
Bull Shoals Lake
Date
04/05/2013
Angler
Chris Kimble
Hometown
Thomas, OK

Alternative method: Bow: Bowfin

Eric Whitehead and his state record bowfin
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Eric Whitehead and his state record bowfin
Weight
13 lbs.
6 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Conservation Area
Date
03/08/2013
Angler
Eric D. Whitehead
Hometown
Puxico, MO
Note

This record was certified although the fish was taken by a method not allowed for that species at that location.

Alternative method: Trotline: Bass: Largemouth

Dylan Gilmore and his state record largemouth bass
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Dylan Gilmore and his state record largemouth bass
Weight
9 lbs.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Katonka Lake
Date
04/28/2012
Angler
Dylan Gilmore
Hometown
Perry, MO

Alternative method: Bow: Gar: Spotted

Eric Whitehead's state record spotted gar
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Eric Whitehead's state record spotted gar
Weight
9 lbs.
15 oz.
Lake or Stream
Wappapello Lake
Date
10/08/2011
Angler
Eric D. Whitehead
Hometown
Puxico, MO

Alternative method: Bow: Carpsucker: Highfin

Dereck DePew holds his state record highfin carpsucker
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Dereck DePew holds his state record highfin carpsucker
Weight
1 lbs.
6 oz.
Lake or Stream
Meramec River
Date
05/21/2011
Angler
Dereck J. DePew
Hometown
De Soto, MO

Pole and line: Gar: Shortnose

George Pittman and his state record shortnose gar
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George Pittman and his state record shortnose gar
Weight
8 lbs.
3 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Contrary
Date
10/12/2010
Angler
George F. Pittman Sr.
Hometown
St. Joseph, MO
Note

World Record-pole and line

Pole and line: Catfish: Blue

Greg Bernal and his state record blue catfish
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Greg Bernal and his state record blue catfish
Weight
130 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Missouri River
Date
07/20/2010
Angler
Greg Bernal
Hometown
Florissant, MO
Note

Former World Record

Pole and line: Redhorse: Shorthead

Gerald Wright's state record shorthead redhorse
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Gerald Wright's state record shorthead redhorse
Weight
2 lbs.
14 oz.
Lake or Stream
Truman Reservoir
Date
05/16/2009
Angler
Gerald W. Wright
Hometown
Independence, MO