Bighead Carp State & World Records
Bighead carp are one of the most fun freshwater species to fish for. Below you will learn what makes a trophy bighead carp and the state and world records.

World Record Bighead Carp
The biggest bighead carp ever caught weighted 90 pounds. This world record was caught at Guntersville Reservoir in Tennessee by Jeffrey J. Rorex on June 2, 2005.
Bighead Carp Records by State
State | Weight | Location | Caught By | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Illinois | 43 lbs 3 oz | Lyerla Lake | Larry Hileman | 5/25/1995 |
Indiana | 53 lb 8 oz | White River | Duane Stafford | 6/22/1905 |
Kentucky | 65 lbs 1 ozs. | Kentucky River | Eddie Young | 7/18/2020 |
Mississippi | 83 lbs 2 oz | Wolf River | Franklin Buehler | 9/1/2009 |
Missouri | 80 lbs | Lake Of The Ozarks | Kyle Schneider | 10/9/2004 |
Nebraska | 53 lbs 3 oz | Middle Island Lake | Ryan Othling | 8/8/2005 |
Tennessee | 90 lbs | Guntersville Reservoir | Jeffrey J. Rorex | 6/2/2005 |
Texas | 90 lbs | Lake Kirby | Timothy Conner | 7/22/2000 |
Wisconsin | 67 lbs 3.2 oz | Wisconsin River | 4/29/2022 |
What state has the largest bighead carp?
Tennessee is the state with the largest bighead carp caught in the United States and current world record. It weighed 90 lbs and was caught on Guntersville Reservoir by Jeffrey J. Rorex June 2, 2005.
What is the average size bighead carp?
The average size bighead carp seen in the wild are 24 – 36 inches long and weight 20-40 lbs. This is much smaller than the world record of 90 lbs.
What size bighead carp is considered a trophy?
Bighead carp start to be considered trophy size at 30 inches long.