Missouri Anglers Continue Record-Setting Streak

By Jim Low, Missouri Dept. of Conservation

06-17-2009

With more than half of 2009 ahead, Missouri angles already have broken as many fishing records as normally fall in a year. The latest record catches were a smallmouth buffalo and a shorthead redhorse.

Lucas Dement, of Ste. Genevieve, was bowfishing at Duck Creek Conservation Area at 10 p.m. April 17 when he shot a 46-pound, 8-ounce smallmouth buffalo for a new alternative methods record. The previous record was a 43-pound, 4-ounce fish taken from the St. Francis River with archery tackle. Dement’s fish was 39 inches long and had a girth of 32.25 inches.

Gerald W Wright, of Independence, was fishing with worms at Truman Lake the afternoon of May 16 when he hooked a 2-pound, 14.1-ounce shorthead redhorse measuring 18.5 inches. The previous pole-and-line record was a 2-pounder taken from the Meramec River.

The two recent catches bring the number of fishing records set so far this year to five. Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Programs Supervisor Rich Wehnes said the agency averages four or five new fishing records a year.

The three other records certified this year were a northern hogsucker caught Jan. 31, a yellow perch taken Feb. 18 and another yellow perch caught May 3.

The Conservation Department recognizes fishing records in two categories, pole-and-line and alternative methods, which include gigging, bowfishing and the use of trotlines, pole and bank lines and other setlines.

A list of Missouri fishing records, rules and entry forms are available online at http://www.missouriconservation.org. Click on keywords “Fishing” and “Browse Fishing by Subject.” The site also has information about the Conservation Department’s Master Angler program, which recognizes notable catches that fall short of records. For qualifying weights, visit http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/71.pdf.

Photo: Lucas Dement of Ste. Genevieve set a new alternative-methods record with this 46-pound, 8-ounce smallmouth buffalo.). Photo courtesy of MDC.