CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced a state record for blue catfish was set on Aug. 29 by Tyler Harmon of Ravenswood, W.Va.
Harmon caught the 48.15 inch, 72.75 pound blue catfish on the Ohio River in Jackson County using cut bait on a 40 pound test, breaking the record for weight only. The length record of 51.49 inches caught by Justin Conner from the Kanawha River on May 9, 2025, still stands. The new weight record was certified by WVDNR Fish Culturist Ryan Bosserman.
“In the early 2000s, WVDNR began restoring blue catfish in the Ohio and Kanawha rivers. The fishery continues to grow, producing multiple state records over the last several years,” Paul Johansen, chief of Wildlife Resources, said. “Not only did these efforts restore a native fish species, but they created opportunities for anglers to catch really big fish.”
To learn more about state fish record categories, go to page 24 of the West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary, available to download at WVdnr.gov/fishing-regulations. Information pertaining to the Trophy Fish Citation and Master Angler programs are on page 27.
All anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be purchased online at WVfish.com. Anglers are reminded that a trout stamp is required when fishing for trout.
