The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced that multiple state fishing records have been broken as the 2026 fishing season heats up.
The new records highlight the exceptional fishing opportunities available across the state as anglers head into the summer.
Recent record-breaking catches include a 71-pound blue catfish caught on the Ohio River, a 13.32-pound tiger trout caught at Summit Lake, and a 6.46-pound redhorse sucker caught at Kanawha Falls. Earlier this spring, a state record 27.95-inch, 5.65-pound chain pickerel was caught from a private pond.
Record Blue Catfish
Michael Ramey of Poca set a new state weight record for blue catfish after catching a 71-pound, 50.23-inch fish on May 9 while fishing the Ohio River in Jackson County. Ramey caught the fish using cut bait on a 100-pound test line.
The catch surpasses the previous state weight record of 69.45 pounds established in 2023 by Michael John Drake. The new record was verified by WVDNR fisheries biologists Nate Taylor and Drew Carter from the District 6 office in Parkersburg.
Justin Connor continues to hold the state blue catfish length record at 51.49 inches from the Kanawha River.
Record Redhorse Sucker
Zachary “Zak” Roper of Fayette County set a new state record for redhorse sucker after catching a 6.46-pound, 25.43-inch fish on May 7 at Kanawha Falls. Roper caught the fish using corn on 15-pound test line.
Roper’s catch surpasses the previous record of 5.75 pounds and 24.57 inches established in April 2025 by Jason Floyd at the Belleville Lock and Dam. The record was officially verified by WVDNR District 4 fisheries biologist Cory Hartman.
Record Tiger Trout
Donnie Workman of Nicholas County set a new state record for tiger trout on April 26 while fishing at Summit Lake. The fish weighed 13.32 pounds and measured 29.80 inches in length.
Workman caught the tiger trout using meal worms and orange salmon eggs on 8-pound test line. The record was officially verified by WVDNR District 4 fisheries biologist Cory Hartman.
Record Chain Pickerel
In April, angler Matt Born caught a new state record chain pickerel. Born landed the 27.95-inch, 5.65-pound fish using a homemade spinner on a 4-pound test line while fishing at a private pond in Preston County.
Anglers who believe they have caught a state record fish should keep the fish alive in a livewell, chilled on ice or wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen, then contact their local WVDNR district office for official weight and length verification.
source: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
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