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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.
Title
State Record Fish Program Rules
Title
State Record Fish Program Rules
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- 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.
- New open records must meet or exceed the Master Angler Award minimum weight for that species to be considered.
- 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).
- Fish must be weighed on a certified scale in the presence of an employee of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Title
Think you have a record?
Link or File
Media
State Record Fish Entry Form262.12 KB
Description
State Record Fish Entry Form
Link
Latest State Record Fish
Pole and line: Bass: Smallmouth
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
7 lbs.
oz.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Stockton Lake
Date
12/18/1994
Angler
Kevin S. Clingan
Hometown
Springfield, MO
Alternative method: Limb line: Warmouth
Classifications
Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
0 lbs.
oz.
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Date
06/16/1994
Angler
Douglas Stilts
Hometown
Wappapello, MO
Pole and line: Sauger
Pole and line: Sunfish: Red Spotted
Classifications
Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.