What's the biggest fish ever caught in the Mississippi River? The state caters to its fishes and proudly states that the upper Mississippi is home to more species than are found in any of Wisconsins inland lakes.. The department said Cronleys fish broke the previous rod-and-reel record of a 95-pound (43.1-kilogram) fish caught in 2009. Many fishing experts believe that this behemoth Mekong River catfish was not only the largest catfish that had ever been caught but was also the largest freshwater fish recorded. The Biggest Catfish Ever Caught In The State Of Mississippi (131 lbs) A Mississippi man named Eugene Cronley just reeled in a 131-pound blue catfish shattering the previous state record that stood for 25 years by nearly 36 pounds. Eugene Cronley with record catfish "The fish shattered the previous rod-and-reel record of 95 lbs. Blue catfish are huge fish commonly found in competitions. The fish weighed an astonishing 131 pounds! Youd probably believe a rumor if you saw images and had heard bedtime stories of them all your life. However, it is not eligible for state record certification. Goonch. The largest White Bass caught in the state of Mississippi was in 1979. These species include northern pike, bluegill, and rainbow trout. The record was set in April of 2012. Cronley believes it weighed at least 138 pounds, but when icing the fish, it lost weight. However, the actual title goes to Richard Nicholas Anderson, who caught a monstrous 143-pound blue catfish in Kerr Lake, Virginia, in 2011. The largest fish ever caught which is verified and listed by the IGFA is a 2,664lb (1208kg) great white shark. Mississippi River, Alton Illinois, 124 Lbs, Tim Pruitt On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124-pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. 8: 1,298-Pound Sixgill Shark. The fish, caught on 30-pound monofilament line, weighed 131 pounds and replaces a 95-pound blue catfish as the state record. Eugene Cronley spent a minimum of thirty minutes tugging on his line until he was able to pull the massive fish out of the 90-foot fishing hole. RiverBenders article detailed that the catfish weighed in at 736 pounds. The tug-of-war dragged the boat containing Pruitt, his wife and a friend for three miles downriver. They are not picky eaters. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, blue catfish usually grow up to two feet or less. The largest catfish ever caught, according to The Guiness Book of World Records, was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed 646 pounds. largest catfish caught in the Mississippi, The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, largest species of fish in the Mississippi. Fifteen- to 30-pounders are common, and 50- to 70-pounders probably are caught somewhere along the river's length every day during summer. I just sat there like I was hung up., It is truly a fish of a lifetime, he said, adding, He is a monster.. A Mississippi angler has netted the biggest blue catfish in the state's history, smashing previous records. Snopes rates the rumor of the 736-pound catfish as false. I graduated from college with an A.A, but I am still pursuing a Bachelors of Marketing degree. The lower portion of a human torso was digitally added to a photograph of a flathead to create the illusion of a much larger catfish: National Geographic notes that Mekong Giant Catfish can weigh up to 650 pounds. Can you imagine the strength you would need to pull one out of the water? It took over an hour for the Thai fishermen to reel in the heavy catfish. The answer is simple: Thousands of tales and myths tell stories of monstrous large catfishes lurking in the depths of the Mississippi. Blue catfish are native to the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio River basin systems, and have been introduced elsewhere the U.S. Images showing the record catfish are courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, A Pennsylvania hunter has upset some of his neighbors by hanging a deer from a tree outside his home and butchering the carcass in front (), Authorities in Hawaii have called off the search for a 60-year-old woman a day after she went missing while snorkeling in an area where a (), Its not uncommon to spot deer on Californias Monterey Peninsula, but it is quite rare to see the animals strolling along the beach and (). On the Missouri River, on July 20, 2010, a yet-to-be-certified new world record blue catfish was caught by Greg Bernal of Florissant, Missouri. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Keep reading to learn about the largest American eel ever caught in the Mississippi River. A lifelong fisherman in Mississippi has smashed a state record after catching a "monster" catfish weighing in at 131lbs (59.4 kilograms). Was the Mississippi River really home to a massive 736-pound catfish? On average, they weigh from 25 to 150 pounds (40-50 kg) and are 24- 65 inches in length. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is because they are heavily sought after for food. Another strike against this rumor is in the image itself. Catfish, especially blue catfish, can grow to enormous sizes. It's home to various underwater creatures, including some of the largest catches in the country. It was caught by Australian angler Alfred Dean in April 1959 off the coast of Ceduna, in South Australia. 131-pound Talk about a fish tale: A Mississippi man reeled in a massive blue catfish that set a state record. For the sake of comparison, the all-tackle world record for blue catfish stands at 143 pounds. Luckily, efforts have been put into preserving this wonderful species. The Mississippi River is between 5.6 and 40 million years old. Eugene Cronley reeled the monster catfish in after a 40-minute tussle and was amazed by its size. A lot of the fish in these waters are actually invasive. The largest one caught in Mississippi was in the Mississippi River and was 77.7 pounds, caught by Matt Bingham. What is the biggest fish ever caught not a shark? A lifelong fisherman in Mississippi has smashed a state record after catching a monster catfish weighing in at 131lbs (59.4 kilograms). These fish can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh nearly 100 pounds! I was wore out.. Over. 1995 - 2022 by Snopes Media Group Inc. A lifelong fisherman in Mississippi has smashed a state record after catching a u201cmonsteru201d catfish weighing in at 131lbs (59.4 kilograms). 5) Bighead Carp Bighead carp are filter-feeders, but at 100lbs, they are one of the biggest fish in the Mississippi River. How big are the catfish in the Mississippi River? Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Watch Fisherman Wrestle 400lb Jungle Fish in. The Biggest Fish Ever Caught No. Table of Contentsshow 1. The state's population of this species is extremely low. Although most simply enjoy telling their version of the story, many claim to have actually seen it, yet some never believed it to be true. Was the Mississippi River Really Home to a Massive 736-Pound Catfish? The Contents1 [] caught by Dakota Hinson in 2009, and is larger than the trophy record blue catfish of 101. According to the Guardian, the title of the largest catfish caught in the Mississippi belongs to a 131-pound blue catfish caught this very year. These animals are minks, bobcats, armadillos, and geese. Where Does The Colorado River Start and End? Red Mudger of Meadowbrook first told the story of the day he discovered the biggest catfish ever known to man back in 1902. Blue catfish have barbels which help them sense and find food. For instance, in the Upper Mississippi River, there are only about 119 species, not 188 that live in the waters. Blue catfish get their nam from their soft silvery-blue skins. It is a major global river and serves a lot of purposes for North America. The Mississippi river is known for some of the largest blue catfish in the United States. However, this catfish is only found in a few parts of Asia, so there is no chance of them being found in the Mississippi. Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, caught the 131-pound fish on. Catfish, especially blue catfish, can grow to enormous sizes. Blue catfish are huge fish commonly found in competitions. They are similar to other catfish species, but they have a unique blue or grey tone. caught by Dakota Hinson in 2009, and is larger than the trophy record blue catfish of 101 lbs. One of the best anglers fishing for the Mississippi's giant cats is James Patterson of Mississippi River Guide Service who can be reached at (901) 383-8674, www.bigcatfishing.com. Its also larger than the 101-pound (45.8-kilogram) blue catfish caught by a team of two people in 1997. Can you imagine the strength you would need to pull one out of the water? And since they weigh an average of 100 pounds, each female catfish lays an average of 300,000 eggs per year. Blue Catfish: Claiming the third spot is the blue catfish which weighs an average of 100 pounds. The largest species of catfish is known as the Mekong giant catfish and is only found in Asia. The catfish weighed in at 736 lbs. The Mississippi state record is 95 pounds and was caught in the Mississippi River near Natchez. Because of its sheer size, Cronley had to take the fish to Vans Deer Processing and Sporting Goods in Rankin County, Mississippi, which had a certified scale large enough to weigh the fish. Here are the 5 largest species of fish in the Mississippi. The largest fish ever caught which is verified and listed by the IGFA is a 2,664lb (1208kg) great white shark. The record was set in April of 2012. The Mississippi River is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of blue catfish. Following an exhausting battle that continued for about 40 minutes, Pruitt landed not only the largest catfish ever landed in Illinois, but the biggest blue cat ever caught in the world, a monstrous 124-pound lunker. Have some feedback for us? NATCHEZ, Miss. Most blue catfish consume whatever is in their environment. . Score: 5/5 (74 votes) (WSIL) -- The Missouri Department of Conservation is highlighting a large fish recently caught on the Mississippi River. In rare cases, they can exceed 5ft and 100lbs. We could hardly get him in the boat, Cronley told the Mississippi Clarion Ledger. However, they are not endangered even though females produce only once each year. In his journal of their historic venture, Marquette told of hefty catfish colliding with their canoes. . Both fishes were caught in the Mississippi River, so if youre on the lookout for a large catfish of your own, you now know where to get started. Id pull on him and take in a foot of line and hed pull and take 10 ft. Cronleys catch was officially recorded by The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. In addition to the five-pound, 12-ounce sauger, 48-pound buffalo, 57-pound huge sturgeon, and 52-pound paddlefish that were caught in 1977, this . Their large size makes them difficult targets, and their quick speeds help them feast on smaller fish and prey. It established a new unrestricted-tackle state record for the species. Lets find out. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Mississippi is home to 119 species of fish. Discover the Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught, Discover the Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught, Discover the Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in Florida, Blue Catfish vs Channel Catfish: 5 Key Differences, Watch Fisherman Wrestle 400lb Jungle Fish in Heroic Catch, Great White Leaps from the Water to Catch This Bird in Wild Video, Discover the Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in the Mississippi River. What is the largest catfish ever caught out of the Mississippi River? Giant Mississippi River Catfish Shatters Previous Record Catch. Blue catfish are also mainly carnivores and opportunists. The Mississippi is one of the largest rivers in the United States. In 1944, an alligator gar weighing a whopping 157 pounds was caught and is one of five Mississippi River state records for Illinois. Although catfish are known for their whiskers, the Mekong giant has no whiskers. They are often bred in captivity and then released into the ocean. This is probably because females produce up to 3000-4000 eggs per pound of their body! He had never seen anything as large! Liopleurodon were fast swimmers that lived entirely under water, but they had no gills. Carey Branham and his fishing pal Greg Branham, both of Farmington, caught a 101 pound blue catfish.This was the biggest catfish Carey has ever caught. Adult blue catfish living in the Mississippi River will eat mussels and other smaller catfish. The Mississippi River is also massive, meaning that in each section, there are different animals, fish, and plants. These fish can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh nearly 100 pounds! It was caught by Australian angler Alfred Dean in April 1959 off the coast of Ceduna, in South Australia. However, this photograph and story were just humorous fabrications posted on 1 April 2016, otherwise known as April Fool's Day. They adapt well to the Chesapeake Bay as they can travel from freshwater to brackish water with ease. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. When compared to images of other large fishes that are actually on the record, this catfish pales greatly. The large silvery fish was 5.6 pounds and Mulvihill caught it in the Grenada Reservoir Spillway while in the Rod and Reel division. They hunt vulnerable prey in deep waters. Thank you for reading! The Mississippi River is home to at least 188 known fish species. Imagine trying to use all of your strength and weight to pull that fish up! They prefer to stay in large rivers with deep channels. The 74-pound common carp Curtis Wade caught in 1963 at Pelahatchie Lake holds the Mississippi Rod and Reel record. When I am not writing, you can find me in front of my TV with a blanket, snacks, and my fur babies. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said the fish is the new State Trophy Record Blue Catfish. They are born carnivores and feed on zooplankton as babies. Santee River The 171,000 acres of water in that section is home to some of the largest catfish in the United States. In addition, male blue catfishes sometimes spawn multiple times in a year. Mekong giant catfishes are one of the largest freshwater fish species known to man. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Up Next: Sea Monsters! Blue catfish are considered pests in several regions. What is the largest blue catfish ever caught? We had to untie the boat and float down the river, Cronley told the Clarion Ledger. If you are curious about discovering the largest blue catfish ever caught in the Mississippi River, read on! The catfish weighed in at 736 lbs. If you do not live near the four areas mentioned above, you might still have a chance of catching a blue catfish. NATCHEZ, Miss. French missionary Jacques Marquette was perhaps the first to describe the gigantic catfish inhabiting the mighty Mississippi. Liopleurodon were fast swimmers that lived entirely under water, but they had no gills. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. Cronley was so close to beating the record for the largest blue catfish ever caught in the world! The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Eugene Cronley of Brandon caught the 131-pound (59.4-kilogram) fish April 7 in the Mississippi River near Natchez. So even though a 736-pound Mekong Giant Catfish might not be completely outside the realm of possibility, these fish mainly live in theMekong River system of Southeast Asia and thus are highly unlikely to be caught by fishermen trawling the waters of the Mississippi River. caught by the team of Freddie Parker and Brad Smith in 1997, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks boasted Monday on Facebook. A photograph shows a 736-pound catfish caught in the Mississippi River. To quote from the article published in the Guardian, Eugene Cronley smashed a state record after catching a monster catfish weighing in at 131 lbs (59.4 kilograms). The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, caught the blue catfish on 7 April in the Mississippi River near Natchez. In at least 20 other states, rivers and lakes are stocked with these fish. So why did this rumor blow up, you might wonder. However, with age and size, their diets change slightly. The Mississippi River is home to one of the largest species of freshwater fish in the state, blue catfish. Find out where the blue catfish ranks. The fish weighed an astonishing 131 pounds! According to the Guardian, the title of the largest catfish caught in the Mississippi belongs to a 131-pound blue catfish caught this very year. These large fish can also consume water insects and clams. The fishermans boots look almost like a cartoon. "Both lakes, connected by a diversion canal held the national record for 21 years on blue cat with a 109-pounder. Although it is illegal to capture, kill, or trade Mekong giant catfish in many parts of Asia, people still do. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never seen in this part of the world. However, not every catch is what you'll expect. On May 29, 1995, John D. Harmon of Dermott caught a 116-pound, 8-ounce blue cat on a trotline in the Mississippi River south of Yellow Bend near Dermott. ( WJTV) A fisherman in Mississippi set a new record for the largest blue catfish ever caught in the state. Fishers travel to Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Rio Grande river basins each year in hopes of catching multiple gigantic blue catfish. They can weigh up to 440 pounds by their 6th year alone. It was caught by Australian angler Alfred Dean in April 1959 off the coast of Ceduna, in South Australia. The largest Mekong giant catfish ever recorded weighed 646 pounds. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, caught the blue catfish on 7 April in the Mississippi River near Natchez. As the longest river, there is plenty . Christopher Halley caught a 104-pound blue catfish in the Mississippi River near Natchez on a trotline. During his April 7 fishing excursion on the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi, Cronley reeled in a 131-pound blue catfish that looked like something from prehistoric times. The fish is the largest blue catfish ever weighed on a certified scale in South Carolina. They have minimal predators since they are fast and large! The Mekong giant catfish is regarded, not only as the largest species of catfish but also as one of the fish species with the fastest growth rates in the world. Our last piece of evidence can be found on Snopes.com, a well-regarded reference site for sorting out myths and rumors. Blue catfish are hunted for sport and food. They are similar to other catfish species, but they have a unique blue or grey tone. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife certified the catch as a new state record blue catfish. Eugene Cronley broke a state record when he caught the fish of a lifetime after a 40-minute tussle. Not only is this the largest blue catfish caught in the Mississippi River, but it is also the largest in the state. Let's dive in! Invasive or not, the most common fish found in the Mississippi river are the common carp, smallmouth bass, white bass, largemouth bass, catfish, American eels, walleye, and sturgeon. Consequently, they are reported to be just a few hundred catfish left in the Mekong River. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP . Both of those fish were also caught in the Mississippi River near Natchez. He had never seen anything as large! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In addition to weighing nearly 650 pounds, this Mekong giant catfish was 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, hooked the massive catfish while using skipjack herring as bait on April 7 near Natchez on the Mississippi River. While you can find blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay, they are an invasive species. Caught by a villager from Thailand, the record-setting catfish was 9 feet long. They are the largest fish species in North America. The record was set in April of 2012.30 Apr 2022 What is the largest fish found in US inland waters? Angling Opportunities: On Pool 26, Pohlman's Slough, just above Grafton where the Illinois River flows into the Mississippi, is a good fishing spot, as are other backwaters in the area. If you want to continue being blown away by these behemoths, consider that the average blue catfish only weighs about 82 pounds. According to Cronley, the struggle with the fish began five minutes after his bait entered the water. They are large and strong catfish that put up quite a fight when caught on the line. They are a species in the shark catfish family. Needless to . They affect the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay by consuming blue crab, striped bass, and Atlantic sturgeon. In the Mississippi River Delta, other non-aquatic animals live by the river bank. A lifelong fisherman in Mississippi has smashed a state record after catching a "monster" catfish weighing in at 131lbs (59.4 kilograms). The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, caught the blue catfish on 7 April in the Mississippi River near Natchez. This is the biggest carp ever caught in the United States with hook and line. It gets its name from its natural habitat, the Mekong River. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/04/record-shattering-blue-catfish-caught-mississippi-river, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The largest catfish ever reeled in was the massive Mekong giant catfish, which was caught near a remote village in Thailand back in 2005. Where are the [] This species is known to live up to 60 years but is considered endangered. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never seen in this part of the world. This article takes a detailed and factual look into the rumor. Cronleys fish broke the previous rod-and-reel record of a 95-pound (43.1-kilogram) fish caught in 2009. In fact, the 95-pound state record blue cat was caught in the Mississippi River, and in Louisiana it has produced three blue cats in excess of 100 pounds including the state record of 114 pounds. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, caught the blue catfish on 7 April in the Mississippi River near Natchez. He said he used a rod and reel with skipjack herring as bait and that it took him 40 minutes to catch the fish. Primarily a "big river" fish species, the Blue Catfish is found almost exclusively in the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.Adults are among our largest freshwater fishes; fish weighing almost 100 pounds have been taken from the lower reaches of the Missouri River. They are diverse and travel from river to lake! Fishing on the Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois Tim Pruitt landed the massive 124-pound cat after a battle lasting nearly 40 minutes a 58 inch long, 44-inch girth blue surfaced. A lifelong fisherman in Mississippi has smashed a state record after catching a "monster" catfish weighing in at 131lbs (59.4 kilograms). Experts believe that this monster Mekong giant catfish is not only the largest catfish ever caught in the world, but the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. However, this photograph and story were just. What Lives At The Bottom of The Mississippi River? WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Actually, nearly 8 million geese and ducks swim to and from the Mississippi River before leaving for Latin America. Some of Mississippis fishes are recognized for their unusual large sizes. All-Tackle Record: 75 kilograms (165 pounds, 5 ounces), Ramganga River, India The goonch is a mysterious catfish species that inhabit the rocky, swift-moving rivers of central Asia's Ganges, Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins with some of the largest specimens taken in India, where they commonly exceed 45 kilograms (100 pounds). They are known to survive in brackish water, which explains their presence in inland waterways of coastal regions. What's the biggest catfish ever caught in the Mississippi river? Most nations classify a common carp weighing 15 to 25 pounds as an average-sized fish. I couldnt move him. . Gulf sturg. The largest fish ever caught which is verified and listed by the IGFA is a 2,664lb (1208kg) great white shark. Monster Mississippi Catfish Sets Record - Videos from The Weather Channel Monster Mississippi Catfish Sets Record May 7, 2022 A Mississippi angler caught a record-setting blue catfish. Answer (1 of 5): Paddlefish aren't even close to the largest though they do get nice sized and beat out catfish for size. The species is considered a tasty delicacy in many parts of the world they are hunted by humans and several birds. The Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Area is located between pools 25 and 26. The largest one caught in Mississippi was in the Mississippi River and was 77.7 pounds, caught by Matt Bingham. Ive been catfishing all my life and I never dreamed of something like this, Cronley told the Clarion Ledger. Eugene Cronley reeled the "monster catfish" in after a 40-minute tussle and was amazed by its size. This is one of the major loopholes in the claim as the only catfish known to be nearly that size is the Mekong giant catfish. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Eugene Cronley of Brandon and the record setting 131-pound (59.4-kilogram) blue catfish he caught, 7 April, 2022. (WJTV) - A Brandon man set a new state record in Mississippi for catching the largest blue catfish. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. How big are the catfish in the Mississippi River? A Mississippi angler has shattered the state record for blue catfish after a 40-minute fight with what he described as a fish of a lifetime.. RELATED: Catch of giant muskie breaks 25-year-old record, Cronley described the catch as truly a fish of a lifetime., Eugene Cronley (right) admires his record catch. In 1673, Marquette accompanied Louis Joliet on an extensive exploration of the Mississippi. While most fish in the world are not top predators, blue catfish have a lot of advantages. That honor goes to Eugene Cronley who caught a 131-pound blue catfish in the Mississippi River on April 7th, 2022. That catfish was caught at Virginias Kerr Lake in 2011. However, they have also been introduced in several rivers and reservoirs. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The current world-record blue catfish recognized by the International Game Fish Association is a 143-pounder caught in June 2011 on Kerr Lake, Virginia. Bullhead vs Catfish: What Are the Differences? The fish shattered the previous rod-and-reel record of 95 lbs. Urban legendry is rife with tales of monstrously large catfish glimpsed lurking at the base of dams or pulled out of murky waters by anglers, and on 1 April 2016 RiverBender.com played on those legends by publishing a photograph documenting fishermanKato "Mudcat" Mudger's having hauled a 736-pound catfish out of the Mississippi river: Rumors of a monster catfish living in the Mississippi River have been told for generations by natives up and down the mighty waterway that divides the Western U.S. from the East. In the state of Mississippi, the largest White Bass ever caught was by William Mulvihill in Greenwood, Mississippi. The fish he caught was 56.6 inches long. About the American Eel Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. In a statement obtained by Zenger News, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks . In 2016, RiverBender.com published an article containing images of a 736-pound catfish rumored to have been caught by fishermen in the Mississippi River. The image that accompanied the article actually shows an average-sized flathead catfish (which grow to about five feet in length), not a Mekong Giant Catfish. What is the biggest catfish ever caught in the United States? Imagine trying to use all of your strength and weight to pull that fish up! Contents1 What kind of catfish are in the Mississippi River?2 Where are blue catfish [] On this day, Christopher Halley caught the largest blue catfish in the state, reeling in a fish weighing a whopping 104 pounds. The Mudger family comes from a long line of expert fisherman. However, this isn't even the largest blue catfish caught in the entirety of the Mississippi! Eugene Cronley, from the city of Brandon in the state of Mississippi, caught the 131-lb whopper in the Mississippi River on April 7th. Thank you for reading! The largest one caught in Mississippi was in the Mississippi River and was 77.7 pounds, caught by Matt Bingham. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and. Cronley said his fish was 56.6 inches (1.4 meters) long with a girth of 41 inches (1.04 meters). Blue catfish are native to the Mississippi River, along with other North American rivers and lakes. Next up on the list would be Flathead and Blue Catfish which both get to somewhere in around 120 pounds but even they are still small compared to the true monsters. This record has since been broken on the Mississippi River. . Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. For example, younger and smaller blue catfish will only hunt plankton and other small organisms. Cronley was a little more than 10lbs shy of the world-record catch for a blue catfish, which was set in 2011 when a 143-pound (64.9-kilogram) behemoth was reeled in from a Virginia lake, according to the International Game Fish Association. According to the department officials, his catch broke the record which was previously held by a 101-pound catfish caught in 1997 by two people. The gargantuan fish was 55 inches long, with a girth of 42 inches. I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. On April 7th, 2022, an excited fisherman caught the largest blue catfish in the Mississippi River. . Blue catfish are the largest North American catfish species. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Have some feedback for us? That's a lot of southern fried catfish for dinner! Not only is this the largest blue catfish caught in the Mississippi River, but it is also the largest in the state. The river has a long history and a lot of diversity, which brings in invasive species. The record was set in April of 2012. Please check your email for a confirmation. However, after a year, they become herbivores and feed on plants. A simple glance at it reveals that it is extremely photoshopped. Not only are they overfished, but the construction of dams often blocks migration routes to their breeding spots. On April 7th, 2022, an excited fisherman caught the largest blue catfish in the Mississippi River. 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