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Michigan State Record Flathead Catfish

May 22, 2012

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently confirmed the catch of a new state record flathead catfish.

Rodney Akey of Niles, Michigan caught the record breaking fish on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 on the St. Joseph River. Akey was fishing the Berrien County section of the river using an alfie for bait when he caught the giant catfish at around 8 p.m.

The fish weighed 49.8 pounds and measured 45.7 inches.

The record was verified by Scott Hanshue, a DNR fisheries biologist, at the DNR's Plainwell office.

The previous state record flathead catfish was caught by Elmer Rayner of Hastings, Mich., on the Maple River in Ionia County on Aug. 6, 1943. That fish weighed in at 47.5 pounds and measured 44 inches.

"I've been fishing catfish on the St. Joseph River for the last 20 years, but it never crossed my mind that I would catch a state record," said Akey. "And beating a nearly 70-year record - that's a feat in itself!"

State records are recognized by weight only. To qualify for a state record, fish must exceed the current listed state record weight, and identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.

 

 

Check out the other Michigan Fishing Records

 

 


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