Flathead Catfish Caught by Indiana Angler Breaks State Flathead Catfish Record

A flathead catfish caught by an angler from Hobart, Indiana, in Berrien County has broken Michigan’s previous state flathead catfish record, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The record-breaking flathead catfish, which weighed 53.35 pounds and measured 48 inches long, was caught by Lloyd Tanner in the St. Joe River on May 29.

The previous record was held by Dale Blakley, of Niles, who caught a flathead catfish that weighed 52 pounds and measured at 46.02 inches long in Cass County’s Barron Lake.

Tanner’s fish was verified by Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin Coordinator with the DNR.

Michigan’s state-record fish are recognized by weight only, according to the DNR. To qualify, fish must exceed the existing state-record weight, and identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.

For a list of Michigan’s current state-record fish by species,