CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Record-breaking fish seem to have become the new normal in West Virginia, and state officials say there are several reasons for the uptick, which is not likely to end soon.
David I. Wellman, Jr., assistant chief of fish management for the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, says anglers are landing giants with surprising frequency, and the surge may just be beginning.
"There are a couple of reasons we are seeing several new state records this year," Wellman said, referring to a spate of six records broken in 2025 in the Mountain State.
A record-breaking largemouth bass and blue catfish were caught in May, marking the fifth and sixth confirmed state record fish of 2025, according to officials with the division.
- On May 8, Seth Spry, of Lumberport, West Virginia, caught a 26.26-inch, 9.85-pound largemouth bass at a private pond in Harrison County using a live bluegill on 30-pound braided line. State fisheries biologist Dustin Smith confirmed his catch, which surpassed the previous 25.75-inch length record set by Eli Gain in 2001. The largemouth bass weight record remains with David Heeter, who caught a 12.28-pound, 24.8-inch fish in a private pond in Grant County in 1994.
- On May 9, Justin Connor, of Milton, West Virginia, caught a 51.49-inch, 66.30-pound blue catfish on the Kanawha River in Putnam County using a mooneye on 80-pound test line. State fish culturist Ryan Bosserman confirmed Connor’s catch, which surpasses the previous 50.82-inch length record, set by Kimberly Feltner of Madison, Ind., in 2024. The blue catfish weight record remains with Michael John Drake, who caught a 69.45-pound, 50.51-inch fish on the Ohio River in 2023.
- Also in 2025, anglers caught a record-breaking 3.6-pound, 17.7-inch black crappie, a record-breaking 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker, a record-breaking 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, and a record-breaking 27.60-inch, 12.55-pound tiger trout.
Good fishing conditions helped anglers in early 2025
According to Wellman, good fishing conditions so far in 2025 are part of the reason anglers have such good luck.
"Conditions have been good this year and have allowed anglers adequate time to get on the water," he said. "Oftentimes, good or bad fishing can be a reflection of the weather and water conditions."
However, the state's fisheries management programs have also contributed to the record-setting trends.
West Virginia opens five new record fish categories
Last year, West Virginia introduced new state record fish categories, which increased the opportunity for anglers to set records.
"As of 2024, the W.Va. DNR allowed for the inclusion of five new state record fish categories—Black Crappie, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Redhorse Suckers," Wellman said.
"These categories have provided anglers several new opportunities to set records."
He added that the only one of these records that has not been set yet is the Pumpkinseed Sunfish.
Expect to see more Blue Catfish records broken
However, the apex of all fish species breaking records in West Virginia is the blue catfish, which has been the subject of many record-catch photos in recent years.
"In regards to the Blue Catfish, this record has been broken multiple times in the last few years," he said.
"This is due to a reintroduction program that the DNR initiated in the mid-2000s. These fish are long-lived and have not yet reached their maximum potential sizes."
West Virginia's most recent Blue Catfish record, 51.49 inches and 66.30 pounds, is only about half the weight of the world record specimen caught in Kerr Lake, Va., which was 143 pounds.
"We may or may not reach that weight, but we expect the Blue Catfish West Virginia state record to be broken several more times as they reach their full size potential in Ohio and Kanawha Rivers."
To learn more about state fish record categories, check page 28 in the West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary, available to download at WVDNR.gov/fishing-regulations.
Information about the trophy fish citations and master angler programs can be found on page 32.
All anglers 15 years old and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be purchased online at WVFish.com. A trout stamp is also required when fishing for trout.
Anglers are also encouraged to upgrade their fishing experience by opting for a physical license card when they purchase their 2025 fishing license.
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