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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.
Title
State Record Fish Program Rules
Title
State Record Fish Program Rules
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- 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.
- New open records must meet or exceed the Master Angler Award minimum weight for that species to be considered.
- 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).
- Fish must be weighed on a certified scale in the presence of an employee of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Title
Think you have a record?
Link or File
Media
State Record Fish Entry Form243.61 KB
Description
State Record Fish Entry Form
Link
Latest State Record Fish
Pole and line: Trout: Rainbow
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
18 lbs.
oz.
1 oz.
Lake or Stream
Roaring River
Date
08/14/2004
Angler
Jason Harper
Hometown
Neosho, MO
Pole and line: Redhorse: Golden
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
5 lbs.
oz.
1 oz.
Lake or Stream
Niangua River
Date
06/19/2004
Angler
Henry Glass
Hometown
Tunas, MO
Pole and line: Catfish: Flathead
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
77 lbs.
oz.
8 oz.
Lake or Stream
Montrose Lake
Date
04/28/2003
Angler
Scott L. Brown
Hometown
Odessa, MO
Pole and line: Carp: Grass
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
69 lbs.
oz.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Crowder State Park
Date
11/13/2002
Angler
Jim Shull
Hometown
Trenton, MO
Alternative method: Jug line: Bass, Striped
Alternative method: Jug line: Bass: Smallmouth
Alternative method: Bow: Carp: Common
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
55 lbs.
oz.
1 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Lotawana
Date
05/28/2002
Angler
Tim Dernosek
Hometown
Blue Springs, MO
Pole and line: Bass: White
Pole and line: Sturgeon: Shovelnose
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
4 lbs.
oz.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Des Moines River
Date
06/03/2001
Angler
James Michael Dockery
Hometown
Queen City, MO
Alternative method: Throwline: Goldeye
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
1 lbs.
oz.
15 oz.
Lake or Stream
Mississippi River
Date
08/06/2000
Angler
Johnnie Lay
Hometown
Queen City, MO