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.

+ see more - show less
  1. To qualify, the applicant’s fish must:
    • be captured by legal methods from Missouri waters,
    • 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 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 and identified by a Department of Conservation Fisheries Biologist or Conservation Agent familiar with the genus. If these persons cannot identify the species with certainty, they must seek the assistance of a designated fish identification expert. Call (573) 522-4115 ext. 3501 for assistance in finding and contacting the nearest identification expert.
  6. Genetic testing will be performed by the Missouri Department of Conservation when necessary for positive identification at no cost to the applicant. Potential record fish may be frozen, but should not be mounted or consumed prior to receipt of a letter confirming the record.
  7. A color photo of the fish is required.
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 21 - 30 of 138

Alternative method: Bow: Shad: Gizzard

Joseph Duncan shows off his state record gizzard shad.
MDC congratulates Joseph Duncan of Fredericktown for shooting a new state-record gizzard shad. The 3-pound, 9-ounce fish was shot April 19 on a private pond in Madison County.
1/1
Joseph Duncan shows off his state record gizzard shad.
Weight
3 lbs.
9 oz.
Lake or Stream
Private Pond
Date
04/19/2020
Angler
Joseph Duncan
Hometown
Fredericktown, MO

Pole and line: Sucker: Spotted

Tyler Goodale poses with his state record spotted sucker
MDC congratulates Tyler Goodale of Poplar Bluff for catching the new state-record spotted sucker from Duck Creek Conservation Area. The 5-pound, 4-ounce fish also qualifies for the world record.
1/1
Tyler Goodale poses with his state record spotted sucker
Weight
5 lbs.
4 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Conservation Area
Date
04/01/2020
Angler
Tyler Goodale
Hometown
Poplar Bluff, MO
Note

World Record

Alternative method: Trotline: Redhorse: Shorthead

Bryant Rackers holds his state-record shorthead redhorse.
MDC congratulates Bryant Rackers of Bonnots Mill on catching his fifth state-record fish. Rackers caught a 2-pound, 6-ounce shorthead redhorse Feb. 16 using a trotline on the Osage River.
1/1
Bryant Rackers holds his state-record shorthead redhorse.
Weight
2 lbs.
6 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
02/16/2020
Angler
Bryant Rackers
Hometown
Bonnots Mill, MO

Alternative method: Throwline: Sauger

Bryant Rackers poses with his state record sauger caught by alternative methods.
Bryant Rackers holds the first state-record sauger caught by alternative methods. Rackers was using a throwline when he caught the fish Nov. 30 on the Osage River.
1/1
Bryant Rackers poses with his state record sauger caught by alternative methods.
Weight
2 lbs.
1 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
11/30/2019
Angler
Bryant Rackers
Hometown
Bonnots Mill, MO

Pole and line: Perch: White

Bryant Rackers holds his state record white perch
Unknown
1/1
Bryant Rackers holds his state record white perch
Weight
0 lbs.
10 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
11/23/2019
Angler
Bryant Rackers
Hometown
Bonnots Mill, MO

Pole and line: Herring: Skipjack

Bryant Rackers shows off his state record skipjack herring.
MDC confirms Bryant Rackers of Bonnots Mill has tied the state record for skipjack herring. Rackers caught his 3-pound fish from the Osage River Oct. 27.
1/1
Bryant Rackers shows off his state record skipjack herring.
Weight
3 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
10/27/2019
Angler
Bryant Rackers
Hometown
Bonnots Mill, MO
Note

Tie

Pole and line: Trout: Brown

Bill Babler and friend Ryan Titus pose with a new state record brown trout.
Bill Babler (left) holds the new state-record brown trout with his friend Ryan Titus. The fish was caught Sept. 4 at Lake Taneycomo, weighing in at 40-pounds, 6-ounces.
1/1
Bill Babler and friend Ryan Titus pose with a new state record brown trout.
Weight
40 lbs.
6 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Taneycomo
Date
09/04/2019
Angler
Bill Babler
Hometown
Blue Eye, MO

Alternative method: Jug line: Bullhead: Black

Cody Sparkman holds his new state record black bullhead catfish.
Cody Sparkman of Perryville holds his 2-pound, 13-ounce black bullhead caught on a jugline July 21 in Perry County. Though it’s not the prettiest fish, it’s now the eighth state record caught in 2019.
1/1
Cody Sparkman holds his new state record black bullhead catfish.
Weight
2 lbs.
13 oz.
Lake or Stream
Farm Pond
Date
07/21/2019
Angler
Cody Sparkman
Hometown
Perryville, MO

Pole and line: Bass: Hybrid Striped

Cesar Rodriguez Holding State Record Hybrid Striped Bass
MDC Staff
1/1
Cesar Rodriguez Holding State Record Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight
21 lbs.
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake of the Ozarks
Date
05/19/2019
Angler
Cesar Rodriguez
Hometown
Carthage, MO

Alternative method: Bow: Buffalo: Black

Joshua Lee holding his State Record Black Buffalo Fish
MDC Staff
1/1
Joshua Lee holding his State Record Black Buffalo Fish
Weight
76 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Conservation Area
Date
04/21/2019
Angler
Joshua H. Lee
Hometown
Bernie, MO