State Record Freshwater Fish (as of August 3, 2023)

Here's a compilation of remarkable state record freshwater fish, showcasing outstanding catches by skilled anglers:

Black Crappie

• Weight: 4 lbs. 14 oz.
• Location: Lake Conner
• Date: April 8, 1967
• Name: E. L. Blackstock

Blue Catfish

• Weight: 143 lbs.
• Location: Buggs Island Lake
• Date: June 18, 2011
• Name: Richard Anderson

Bluegill Sunfish

• Weight: 4 lbs. 8 oz.
• Location: Private Pond
• Date: February 7, 1970
• Name: Thomas E. Jones

Bowfin

• Weight: 17 lbs. 8 oz.
• Location: Chickahominy Lake
• Date: November 14, 1964
• Name: E. C. Cutright

Brook Trout

• Weight: 5 lbs. 15 oz.
• Location: Cub Run
• Date: March 12, 2019
• Name: Thomas Garth

Brown Trout

• Weight: 18 lbs. 11 oz.
• Location: Smith River
• Date: June 22, 1979
• Name: William W. Nease

Chain Pickerel

• Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz.
• Location: Douthat Lake
• Date: January 26, 1974
• Name: Glenn C. Williams

Channel Catfish

• Weight: 32 lbs.
• Location: Lake Chesdin
• Date: April 28, 1980
• Name: Hugh Wyatt

Coho Salmon

• Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz.
• Location: Philpott Reservoir
• Date: December 27, 1971
• Name: Melvin Chilton

Flathead Catfish

• Weight: 68 lbs. 12 oz.
• Location: Lake Smith
• Date: May 25, 2018
• Name: Jeffrey E. Dill

Freshwater Drum

• Weight: 29 lbs. 6 oz.
• Location: Buggs Island Lake
• Date: March 26, 2018
• Name: Del Pool

Gar

• Weight: 25 lbs. 2 oz.
• Location: Lake Prince
• Date: May 28, 1987
• Name: Roger Beaver

Hybrid Striped Bass

• Weight: 15 lbs. 13 oz.
• Location: Claytor Lake
• Date: March 16, 2016
• Name: Don Jessie

Lake Trout

• Weight: 5 lbs. 6 oz.
• Location: Philpott Reservoir
• Date: July 6, 1966
• Name: Arthur A. Conner

Largemouth Bass

• Weight: 16 lbs. 4 oz.
• Location: Conner Lake
• Date: May 20, 1985
• Name: Richard Tate

Musky (includes Tiger)

• Weight: 45 lbs. 8 oz.
• Location: New River
• Date: June 1, 2007
• Name: Shannon Hill

Northern Pike

• Weight: 31 lbs. 4 oz.
• Location: Motts Run Reservoir
• Date: July 24, 1994
• Name: George Wood

Rainbow Trout

• Weight: 14 lbs. 7 oz.
• Location: Greers Pond
• Date: June 28, 1993
• Name: Michael Lowe

Redear Sunfish

• Weight: 4 lbs. 12 oz.
• Location: Private Pond
• Date: April 28, 1986
• Name: Michael Mills

Roanoke Bass

• Weight: 2 lbs. 9 oz.
• Location: Western Branch Reservoir
• Date: May 28, 2005
• Name: Harry G. Swauger

Rock Bass

• Weight: 2 lbs. 2 oz.
• Location: Laurel Bed Lake
• Date: May 17, 1986
• Name: Larry Ball

Sauger

• Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.
• Location: South Holston Lake
• Date: July 2, 1972
• Name: R. Stallard

Saugeye

• Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz.
• Location: Lake Gaston
• Date: May 29, 2023
• Name: Brittany Watkins

Smallmouth Bass

• Weight: 8 lbs. 1 oz.
• Location: New River
• Date: March 12, 2003
• Name: Donald S. Eaton, Jr.

Spotted Bass

• Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz.
• Location: Flannagan Reservoir
• Date: March 31, 1976
• Name: Joe Jett Friend

Striped Bass

• Weight: 53 lbs. 7 oz.
• Location: Leesville Reservoir
• Date: March 16, 2000
• Name: James B. Davis

Walleye

• Weight: 22 lbs. 8 oz.
• Location: New River
• Date: August 20, 1973
• Name: Roy G. Barrett

White Bass

• Weight: 6 lbs. 13 oz.
• Location: Lake Orange
• Date: July 31, 1989
• Name: Ron Sprouse

White Catfish

• Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz.
• Location: Western Branch Reservoir
• Date: March 24, 1992
• Name: Thomas F. Elkins

White Perch

• Weight: 3 lbs. 2 oz.
• Location: Private Pond
• Date: June 13, 2012
• Name: Beau McLaughlin

Yellow Perch

• Weight: 3 lbs.
• Location: Flannagan Reservoir
• Date: March 8, 2010
• Name: George Mullins

State Record Freshwater Fish Achieved Through Archery (as of November 2, 2022)

Here's a roundup of impressive state record freshwater fish landed through the skillful art of archery:

Blue Catfish

• Weight: 68 lbs. 14 oz.
• Location: Rappahannock River
• Date: October 20, 2022
• Name: Josh Bailey

Bowfin

• Weight: 10 lbs. 12 oz.
• Location: Chickahominy River
• Date: July 31, 2016
• Name: Patrick Pendergrass

Carp (Record before 1985 Rules)

• Weight: 60 lbs.
• Location: Private Pond
• Date: July 5, 1970
• Name: Ben Topham

Common Carp

• Weight: 45 lbs. 7 oz.
• Location: Claytor Lake
• Date: October 15, 2016
• Name: Hae Kim

Flathead Catfish

• Weight: 48 lbs. 0 oz.
• Location: Belmont Bay
• Date: October 16, 2022
• Name: Richard V. Hayden Jr.

Gar

• Weight: 23 lbs.
• Location: Pamunkey River
• Date: August 13, 2021
• Name: Shawn Kennedy

Goldfish

• Weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz.
• Location: Hunting Creek
• Date: May 22, 2021
• Name: Jeremy Fortner

State Record Certification Guidelines for Anglers

Catching Criteria

To qualify for a state record in Virginia, the fish must be captured within Virginia waters using authorized equipment such as a rod, reel, line, and hand-held hook, or permissible archery tackle as outlined in the Nongame Fish, Reptile, Amphibian & Invertebrates regulations. It is imperative for the angler to specify the exact location where the fish was caught.

Individual Achievement

While multiple anglers may participate in the capture of a potential state record fish, only one individual will be acknowledged as the official record holder. World records, however, are exclusively awarded to fish that are hooked and battled by a single angler without external aid.

Weighing Process

An official weighing of the fish must be conducted in the presence of a Department employee. The weight recorded by the Department employee is the only valid measurement accepted for certification. The fish must be fresh, intact, and accessible for a comprehensive examination. Furthermore, the Department reserves the right to conduct additional examinations if deemed necessary.

Species Verification

Confirmation of the fish species is crucial and must be performed by a Department fish biologist, who will inspect the fish in its entirety. This verification can occur post-weighing if the Department witness is not a fish biologist.

Application and Documentation

All applications must be submitted within 60 days of the catch, accompanied by a clear, side view photograph of the fish. The application form is accessible online at www.virginiawildlife.gov/fishing/trophy-fish.

Weighing Scale Standards

The weighing scales used must be appropriate for the size of the fish and certified for legal commercial trade. Scales owned by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) are acceptable if tested for accuracy by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Weights and Measures, or certified DWR weights. Scales must have sufficient precision, with fish under 25 pounds weighed to the ounce and those over 25 pounds to a maximum graduation of one-half pound.

Disqualification Criteria

Fish found to contain artificial or non-food items in the stomach will not be considered for a new record. Additionally, catches within or influenced by aquaculture facilities or private fee fishing areas are ineligible for state record recognition.

Application Review and Appeals

In cases of doubt regarding any aspect of the application, it may be rejected. However, anglers have the right to appeal the Committee's decision within 60 days of notification. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Chairman, State Record Fish Committee, at P.O. Box 90778, Henrico, VA 23228.