State record fish programs

State record fish programs

When you catch a big fish, no matter what the species, it is always a thrill, and it usually requires exceptional fishing skill. The Minnesota DNR honors any angler who breaks a state record.

There are two kinds of Minnesota state records: One for catching and keeping the biggest fish in each species based on certified weight; and the other for the length of a caught-and-released muskellunge, northern pike, lake sturgeon or flathead catfish.

Catch-and-release length

With the increased popularity of catch and release fishing and higher minimum lengths, many anglers are reluctant to harvest record-weight fish. To address this concern, DNR has created a record program for catch-and-release length for four species: muskellunge, northern pike, lake sturgeon and flathead catfish.

This program is being cross-promoted with the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame's Master Angler Program, which recognizes 60 fish species. We hope that anglers will consider this new program if they catch a large muskie, northern pike, lake sturgeon or flathead catfish.

To enter, submit this application

 

Flathead catfish
Current catch-and-release record flathead catfish
  • Length: 52½ inches
  • Girth: 32 inches
  • Caught: Aug. 2, 2017
  • Place: St. Croix River
  • County: Washington
  • Angler: Mark Mosby, St. Anthony
Muskellunge
Current catch-and-release record muskellunge
  • Length: 58¼ inches
  • Girth: Not provided
  • Caught: June 11, 2022
  • Place: Mille Lacs Lake
  • County: Mille Lacs
  • Angler: Eric Bakke, Princeton
Lake sturgeon
Current catch-and-release record lake sturgeon.
  • Length: 78 inches
  • Girth: 29½
  • Caught: Feb. 9, 2019
  • Place: St. Croix River
  • County: Washington
  • Angler: Darren Troseth, Jordan
Northern pike
Current catch-and-release record northern pike
Current catch-and-release record northern pike
  • Length: 46¼ inches
  • Girth: 23⅔
  • Caught: Jan. 22, 2023
  • Place: Mille Lacs Lake
  • County: Aitkin
  • Angler: Brad Lila, Hudson, Wis.
  • Length: 46¼ inches
  • Girth: Not provided
  • Caught: June 19, 2021
  • Place: Basswood Lake
  • County: Lake
  • Angler: Brecken Kobylecky, Geneva, Ill.
To enter

Submit this application.

Information

With the increased popularity of catch and release fishing and higher minimum lengths, many anglers are reluctant to harvest record-weight fish. To address this concern, DNR has created a record program for catch-and-release length for three species: muskellunge, lake sturgeon and flathead catfish.

This program is being cross-promoted with the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame's Master Angler Program,  which recognizes 60 fish species. We hope that anglers will consider this new program if they catch a large muskie, lake sturgeon or flathead catfish.

Certified weight

If you catch a fish that you think could be a record, follow these steps:

  • Weigh the fish on a state-certified scale (found at most bait shops and butcher shops), witnessed by two observers.
  • Take the fish to a DNR fisheries office for positive identification and a state record fish application.
  • Complete the State Record Fish submission form and send it along with a clear, full-length photo of your fish to the address listed on the form.

Select desired species and scroll through the table to view records. Lengths and girths are measured in inches

Slide text left for complete information

Bass – burbot
Common nameLbs.Oz.Length (in)Girth (in)PlaceCountyCaught
Bass, Largemouth81523½17½Auburn LakeCarver10/3/2005
Bass, Rock  Tie2013½12½Lake OsakisTodd5/10/1998
Bass, Rock  Tie2012½12⅜Lake WinnibigoshishCass8/30/2004
Bass, Smallmouth80UnknownUnknownWest Battle LakeOtter Tail1948
Bass, White482016Vadnais LakeRamsey10/10/2016
Bowfin12931½18Mississippi RiverWabasha9/14/2012
Buffalo, Bigmouth411138⅜29½Pool 4 Mississippi RiverGoodhue5/7/1991
Buffalo, Smallmouth2003223¾Big SandyAitkin9/20/2003
Bullhead, Black31317⅛14⅞Reno LakePope6/8/1997
Bullhead, Brown7124⅜UnknownShallow LakeItasca5/21/1974
Bullhead, Yellow31017⅞11¾Lake OsakisTodd8/5/2002
Burbot (Eelpout)19103323Lake of the Woods
near Baudette
Lake of the
Woods
12/19/16
Carp – goldeye
Common nameLbs.Oz.Length (in)Girth (in)PlaceCountyCaught
Carp, Common5554231Clearwater LakeWright7/10/1952
Carpsucker, Quillback7422⅝18Upper Red LakeBeltrami8/9/2010
Carpsucker, River4621⅝16Minnesota RiverCarver11/19/2012
Catfish, Channel38044UnknownMississippi RiverHennepin2/16/1975
Catfish, Flathead700UnknownUnknownSt. Croix RiverWashington1970
Cisco (Tullibee)51320¾16¾Sybil LakeOtter Tail3/9/2015
Crappie, Black 5021UnknownVermillion RiverDakota1940
Crappie, White3151816Lake ConstanceWright7/28/2002
Drum, Freshwater
(Sheepshead)
3533631Mississippi River near WinonaWinona10/5/1999
Gar, Longnose16125316½St. Croix River near PrescottWashington5/4/1982
Gar, Shortnose543111¾Minnesota RiverRenville4/17/2017
Goldeye3520 ⅔13½Minnesota RiverBlue Earth5/3/2020
Hogsucker – redhorse
Common nameLbs.Oz.Length (in)Girth (in)PlaceCountyCaught
Hogsucker, Northern3418½9Mississippi River near St. CloudStearns5/3/2023
Mooneye11516½Minnesota RiverRedwood6/18/1980
Muskellunge551457¾29Mille Lacs LakeMille Lacs11/22/2021
Muskellunge, Tiger34125122½Lake ElmoWashington7/7/1999
Perch, Yellow34UnknownUnknownLake PlantagenetHubbard1945
Pike, Northern4512UnknownUnknownBasswood LakeLake 5/16/1929
Redhorse, Golden4822½12¾Otter Tail RiverOtter Tail4/7/2018
Redhorse, Greater121128½18½Sauk RiverStearns5/20/2005
Redhorse, River121028⅜20Kettle RiverPine5/20/2005
Redhorse, Shorthead7152715Rum River near RamseyAnoka8/5/1983
Redhorse, Silver10626¾17½Rainy RiverKoochiching4/28/2018
Salmon – sunfish
Common nameLbs.Oz.Length (in)Girth (in)PlaceCountyCaught
Salmon, Atlantic121335½16½Baptism RiverLake10/12/1991
Salmon, Chinook -
(King) Tie
33444¾25¾Poplar RiverCook9/23/1989
Salmon, Chinook -
(King) Tie
33442¼26⅛Lake SuperiorSt. Louis10/12/1989
Salmon, Coho10142919Lake Superior St. Louis9/4/2023
Salmon, Pink4823½13⅛Cascade RiverCook 9/9/1989
Sauger6223⅞15Mississippi River near Red Wing
(L&D No.3)
Goodhue5/23/1988
Saugeye,
Walleye x Sauger Hybrid
9132717¾Mississippi River near Red WingGoodhue3/20/1999
Sturgeon, Lake9447026½Kettle RiverPine9/5/1994
Sturgeon, Shovelnose673313¾Mississippi River near Red Wing  Goodhue2/19/2012
Sucker, Longnose3102110¼Brule RiverCook5/19/2005
Sucker, White9124¼16¼Big Fish LakeStearns5/1/1983
Sunfish, Bluegill213UnknownUnknownAlice LakeHubbard1948
Sunfish, Green1410¼10⅝North Arbor LakeHennepin6/14/2005
Sunfish, Hybrid  Tie11211½12Zumbro RiverOlmsted7/9/1994
Sunfish, Hybrid  Tie 1121213Green LakeKandiyohi9/18/2022
Sunfish, Pumpkinseed151012⅛Leech LakeCass6/6/1999
Trout – whitefish
Common nameLbs.Oz.Length (in)Girth (in)PlaceCountyCaught
Trout, Brook652414½Pigeon RiverCook9/2/2000
Trout, Brown161231⅜20½Lake SuperiorSt. Louis6/23/1989
Trout, Lake438UnknownUnknownLake Superior near HovlandCook5/30/1955
Trout, Rainbow
(Steelhead)
1663319½Devil Track RiverCook4/27/1980
Trout, Splake
(Brook x Lake Trout Hybrid)
13533½19Larson LakeItasca2/11/2001
Trout, Tiger29209⅝Mill CreekOlmsted8/7/1999
Walleye17835¾21¼Seagull River at Saganaga LakeCook5/13/1979
Whitefish, Lake13929½22Lake of the WoodsLake of the Woods4/6/2019
Whitefish, Menominee
(Round)
27219Lake SuperiorCook4/27/1987

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