Flathead Catfish State & World Records
Flathead catfish are one of the most fun freshwater species to fish for. Below you will learn what makes a trophy flathead catfish and the state and world records.
World Record Flathead Catfish
The world record flathead catfish weighed 123 lbs and was caught by Ken Paulie. It was caught on Elk City Reservoir in Kansas on 5/14/1998.
Flathead Catfish Records by State
| State | Weight | Location | Caught By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 80 lbs | Alabama River | Rick Conner | 6/22/1986 |
| Arizona | 74 lbs | Colorado River | Wando L. Tull | 5/5/1905 |
| Arkansas | 80 lbs | Arkansas River | Wesley White | 10/28/1989 |
| Colorado | 30.6 lbs | Pueblo Res. | Michael Flock | 7/9/1905 |
| Florida | 69.9 lbs | Santa Rosa County | Lavon Nowling | 8/26/2020 |
| Georgia | 84 lbs | Altamaha River | Jim Dieveney | 7/1/2010 |
| Idaho | 58.5 lbs | Brownlee Reservoir | J. Newberry/K. McCormick | 8/23/1994 |
| Illinois | 78 lbs | Carlyle Lake | Jody Harris | 8/11/1995 |
| Indiana | 79 lb 8 oz | White River | Glen T. Simpson | 5/19/1905 |
| Iowa | 81 lbs | Lake Ellis | Joe Baze | 6/1/1958 |
| Kansas | 123 lbs | Elk City Reservoir | Ken Paulie | 5/14/1998 |
| Kentucky | 97 lbs | Green River | Esker Carroll | 6/6/1956 |
| Maryland | 57.0 lbs | Lapidum Boat Ramp | Joshua Dixon | N/A |
| Michigan | 49.8 lbs | ST. Joseph River | Rodney Akey | 5/22/2012 |
| Minnesota | 70 lbs | Saint Croix River | John L. Robert | 5/23/1905 |
| Mississippi | 77 lbs | Tenn-Tom Waterway | Joey Pounders | 11/2/2009 |
| Missouri | 77 lbs 8 oz | Montrose Lake | Scott L. Brown | 4/28/2003 |
| Nebraska | 89 lbs | Loup Power Canal | William Swanson | 6/14/1988 |
| New Mexico | 78 lbs | Elephant Butte Lake | Jim Wilson | 6/1/1905 |
| North Carolina | 78 lbs | Cape Fear River | Brian Newberger | 9/17/2005 |
| North Dakota | 29 lbs 6 oz | Heart River | N/A | 6/7/1905 |
| Ohio | 76.5 lbs | Clendening Lake | Richard Affolter | 7/28/1979 |
| Oklahoma | 78 lbs 8 oz | El Reno Lake | Richard Williams | 5/11/2010 |
| Oregon | 42 lbs | Snake River | Joshua Kralicek | 6/16/1905 |
| Pennsylvania | 56 lbs 3 oz | Schuylkill River | Jonathan Pierce | 7/12/1905 |
| South Carolina | 79 lbs 4 oz | Santee Cooper Canal | Jessica Preston | 6/23/1905 |
| South Dakota | 63 lbs 8 oz | James River | Davin Holland | 6/18/2006 |
| Texas | 98 lbs 8 oz | Lake Palestine | James Laster | 12/2/1998 |
| Virginia | 68 lbs 12 oz | Lake Smith | Jeffrey E. Dill | 5/25/2018 |
| Washington | 22 lbs 12.8 oz | Snake River | C.L. McCary | 6/28/1981 |
| West Virginia | 70 lbs | Little Kanawha River | L.L. McClung | 5/9/1905 |
| Wisconsin | 74 lbs 5.1 oz | Mississippi River | N/A | 3/30/2001 |
| Wyoming | 22 lbs | North Platte River | Dallas Stanton | 6/26/1905 |
What state has the largest flathead catfish?
Kanasas is the state with the largest flathead catfish ever caught in the United States. It was caught by Ken Paulie and weighed 123 lbs.
What is the average size flathead catfish?
The average size flathead catfish typically caught around the 20-30 lb range. This is much smaller than the world record of 123 lbs.
What size flathead catfish is considered a trophy?
Flathead Catfish start to be considered trophy at 50 lbs or more.