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

View Past Records

Displaying 61 - 70 of 136

Alternative method: Bow: Buffalo: Smallmouth

Lucas Dement and his state record smallmouth buffalo
Unknown
1/1
Lucas Dement and his state record smallmouth buffalo
Weight
46 lbs.
8 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Conservation Area
Date
04/17/2009
Angler
Lucas Dement
Hometown
Ste. Genevieve, MO

Alternative method: Gig: Redhorse: Black

Andy Foster holds his state record black redhorse
Unknown
1/1
Andy Foster holds his state record black redhorse
Weight
9 lbs.
13 oz.
Lake or Stream
Current River
Date
01/27/2008
Angler
Andy Foster
Hometown
Poplar Bluff, MO

Alternative method: Gig: Redhorse: Silver

Jordan Brown holds his state record silver redhorse
Unknown
1/1
Jordan Brown holds his state record silver redhorse
Weight
9 lbs.
13 oz.
Lake or Stream
Bourbeuse River
Date
12/21/2007
Angler
Jordan S. Brown
Hometown
Cuba, MO

Pole and line: Sunfish: Longear

Brian Longo holds his state record longear sunfish
Unknown
1/1
Brian Longo holds his state record longear sunfish
Weight
0 lbs.
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Private pond
Date
06/02/2007
Angler
Brian Longo
Hometown
St. Louis, MO

Alternative Method: Bow: Gar: Alligator

Closed
Larry Wolfe with his state record alligator gar
Unknown
1/1
Larry Wolfe with his state record alligator gar
Weight
127 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Diversion Channel
Date
05/21/2007
Angler
Larry Wolfe
Hometown
Chaffee, MO

Alternative Method: Bow: Gar: Shortnose

Brad Smith holds his state record shortnose gar
Unknown
1/1
Brad Smith holds his state record shortnose gar
Weight
13 lbs.
1 oz.
Lake or Stream
Mark Twain Lake
Date
06/16/2006
Angler
Brad Smith
Hometown
Center, MO

Pole and line: Bullhead: Yellow

John Irvin holds his world record yellow bullhead
Unknown
1/1
John Irvin holds his world record yellow bullhead
Weight
6 lbs.
6 oz.
Lake or Stream
Old Drexel Lake
Date
05/27/2006
Angler
John R. Irvin
Hometown
Drexel, MO
Note

World Record

Pole and line: Crappie: Black

John Horstman holds his state record black crappie
Unknown
1/1
John Horstman holds his state record black crappie
Weight
5 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Private pond
Date
04/21/2006
Angler
John R. Horstman
Hometown
Mokane, MO
Note

Former World Record

Pole and line: Pickerel: Grass

Will Dougherty Jr. holds his state record pickerel.
Unknown
1/1
Will Dougherty Jr. holds his state record pickerel.
Weight
1 lbs.
3 oz.
Lake or Stream
Farm Pond
Date
03/20/2005
Angler
Will Dougherty Jr.
Hometown
Mill Spring, MO
Note

Further review has determined this fish to possibly be a chain pickerel or hybrid.

Alternative method: Limb line: Crappie: Black

Skipper Antley's state record black crappie
Unknown
1/1
Skipper Antley's state record black crappie
Weight
3 lbs.
3 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lisle Lake
Date
02/25/2005
Angler
Skipper Antley
Hometown
Drexel, MO