New State Record Flathead Catfish Caught in Michigan

Strategic Insights -

Michigan resident Codie Carlson has landed a new state record flathead catfish weighing 64.46 pounds and measuring 45 inches, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Carlson's catch was made on June 29 at Plum Creek in Monroe County while bowfishing. The previous state record was held by Lloyd Tanner of Hobart, Indiana, who caught a 53.35-pound flathead catfish on the St. Joseph River in Berrien County in 2022. This new record has been verified by DNR fisheries biologist John Buszkiewicz.

Key Takeaways:

  • Codie Carlson has set a new state record for the largest flathead catfish in Michigan, weighing 64.46 pounds and measuring 45 inches.
  • The previous state record was held by Lloyd Tanner, who caught a 53.35-pound flathead catfish on the St. Joseph River in Berrien County in 2022.
  • The new record was verified by DNR fisheries biologist John Buszkiewicz.
  • Michigan's state records for fish are recognized by weight, and those who catch a potential record fish must contact a DNR fisheries biologist for verification.
  • The state records for fish in Michigan are available on the DNR's Master Angler website.
  • Carlson's catch is the only current record-holding fish from Plum Creek, and it is one of two record-holding fish from Monroe County.

Statistics:

  • The new state record flathead catfish weighed 64.46 pounds.
  • The previous state record flathead catfish weighed 53.35 pounds.
  • The new record fish measured 45 inches.
  • The previous state record fish measured 43 inches.
  • The state record for flathead catfish was set by Lloyd Tanner in 2022.
  • Carlson's catch was made while bowfishing on June 29 of this year.

Sources:

  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
  • WWJ (Newport, Michigan).