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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 |
