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 1 - 10 of 136

Pole and line: Carp: Bighead

George Chance next to a 164 lb 13 oz bighead carp caught from the Mississippi River on March 19, 2024
MDC
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George Chance next to a 164 lb 13 oz bighead carp caught from the Mississippi River on March 19, 2024
Weight
97 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Mississippi River
Date
03/19/2024
Angler
George Chance
Hometown
Festus, MO

Alternative Method: Snagging: Paddlefish

Chad Williams stands next to world record 164-pound, 13-ounce paddlefish
MDC congratulates Chad Williams of Olathe, Kansas for catching a world record 164-pound, 13-ounce paddlefish. Williams was on his first snagging trip March 17 when he reeled in the fish at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Photo courtesy of Chad Williams
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Chad Williams stands next to world record 164-pound, 13-ounce paddlefish
Weight
164 lbs.
13 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake of the Ozarks
Date
03/17/2024
Angler
Chad Williams
Hometown
Olathe, KS
Note

World Record.

Alternative Method: Throwline: Perch: Yellow

Jeffrey Needles holding a yellow perch with his two children standing next to him.
Needles family.
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Jeffrey Needles holding a yellow perch with his two children standing next to him.
Weight
12 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Lotawana
Date
01/03/2024
Angler
Jeffrey Needles
Hometown
Lake Lotawana, MO

Pole and line: Herring: Skipjack

Anthony Rozniak holding skipjack herring with outstretched arms.
MDC
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Anthony Rozniak holding skipjack herring with outstretched arms.
Weight
3 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Missouri River
Date
12/06/2023
Angler
Anthony Rozniak
Hometown
St. Peters, MO
Note

Tie

Alternative Method: Throwline: Sunfish: Longear

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Longear sunfish laying on dipnet.
MDC
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Longear sunfish laying on dipnet.
Weight
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Frieda Lake
Date
05/08/2023
Angler
John F. Goad
Hometown
Jefferson City, MO
Note

Tie

Pole and line: Flier

Tyler Goodale holds his state record flier and another similarly-sized fish.
MDC Staff
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Tyler Goodale holds his state record flier and another similarly-sized fish.
Weight
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Pool #1
Date
03/26/2023
Angler
Tyler Goodale
Hometown
Doniphan, MO

Alternative Method: Bow: Bullhead: Brown

Mitchell Dering holding a brown bullhead.
MDC
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Mitchell Dering holding a brown bullhead.
Weight
4 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Ditch #105
Date
03/14/2023
Angler
Mitchell Dering
Hometown
Fairdealing, MO

Pole and line: Sucker: Blue

Travis Uebinger holds state record blue sucker
MDC confirms Travis Uebinger is the first state record holder of 2023 after catching an 11-pound, 5-ounce blue sucker Jan. 15 from the Osage River.
MDC photo
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Travis Uebinger holds state record blue sucker
Weight
11 lbs.
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
01/15/2023
Angler
Travis Uebinger
Hometown
Auxvasse, MO

Alternative Method: Bow: Sunfish: Redear

Andrew Hunt holding redear sunfish while standing in front of a fishing boat.
MDC
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Andrew Hunt holding redear sunfish while standing in front of a fishing boat.
Weight
2 lbs.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Taneycomo
Date
06/04/2022
Angler
Andrew Hunt
Hometown
Hollister, MO

Alternative Method: Trotline: Walleye

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Tim Stilling in black ball cap and sunglasses, with outstretched arms, holds walleye.
MDC
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Tim Stilling in black ball cap and sunglasses, with outstretched arms, holds walleye.
Weight
7 lbs.
8 oz.
Lake or Stream
Sac River
Date
05/16/2022
Angler
Tim Stillings
Hometown
Morrisville, MO