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 81 - 90 of 136

Pole and line: Crappie: White

Samuel Barbee and his state record white crappie next to a conservation agent
Unknown
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Samuel Barbee and his state record white crappie next to a conservation agent
Weight
4 lbs.
9 oz.
Lake or Stream
Farm Pond
Date
03/05/2000
Angler
Samuel H. Barbee
Hometown
Poplar Bluff, MO

Pole and line: Mooneye

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Christopher Root's state record mooneye
Unknown
1/1
Christopher Root's state record mooneye
Weight
0 lbs.
13 oz.
Lake or Stream
Meramec River
Date
08/18/1999
Angler
Christopher Root
Hometown
Florissant, MO

Alternative method: Bow: Carp: Grass

Donald Atterberry and his state record grass carp
Unknown
1/1
Donald Atterberry and his state record grass carp
Weight
71 lbs.
4 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Showme
Date
06/17/1999
Angler
Donald H. Atterberry
Hometown
Memphis, MO

Alternative Method: Trotline: Goggle-eye

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Eugene Stilts holding google-eye fish.
MDC
1/1
Eugene Stilts holding google-eye fish.
Weight
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Castor River
Date
07/03/1997
Angler
Eugene Stilts
Hometown
Zalma, MO

Pole and line: Sunfish: Hybrid

James Closson with his state record hybrid sunfish
Unknown
1/1
James Closson with his state record hybrid sunfish
Weight
2 lbs.
3 oz.
Lake or Stream
Farm Pond
Date
06/12/1997
Angler
James E. Closson
Hometown
Marshall, MO

Alternative method: Limb line: Eel: American

David Ward holds his state record American eel
Unknown
1/1
David Ward holds his state record American eel
Weight
4 lbs.
3 oz.
Lake or Stream
Castor River
Date
09/17/1996
Angler
David Conrad Ward
Hometown
Advance, MO

Pole and line: Carp: Common

Weight
50 lbs.
6 oz.
Lake or Stream
Rothwell Park Lake
Date
06/02/1996
Angler
Russell Tarr
Hometown
Moberly, MO

Alternative method: Limb line: Bluegill

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
John Hardin and his state record bluegill
Unknown
1/1
John Hardin and his state record bluegill
Weight
0 lbs.
10 oz.
Lake or Stream
Table Rock Lake
Date
06/13/1995
Angler
John Hardin
Hometown
Farmers Branch, TX

Pole and line: Redhorse: Black

Mike Jackson holds his state record black redhorse
Unknown
1/1
Mike Jackson holds his state record black redhorse
Weight
1 lbs.
8 oz.
Lake or Stream
Meramec River
Date
06/03/1995
Angler
Mike B. Jackson
Hometown
Bourbon, MO

Pole and line: Bass: Yellow

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Weight
0 lbs.
9 oz.
Lake or Stream
Sandy Slough
Date
03/18/1995
Angler
Jessica Murray
Hometown
St. Peters, MO