Blue Catfish State & World Records
Blue catfish are one of the most fun freshwater species to fish for. Below you will learn what makes a trophy blue catfish and the state and world records.
World Record Blue Catfish
The world record blue catfish weighed 143 lbs and was caught by Richard “Nick” Anderson. Nick caught the record blue catfish on Buggs Island Lake in Virginia on 6/18/2011.
Blue Catfish Records by State
| State | Weight | Location | Caught By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 120 lbs 4 oz | Holt Reservoir | John Paul Nichols | 3/9/2012 |
| Arizona | 31 lbs | Randolph Park | Richard Lujan | July 1970 |
| Arkansas | 116 lbs 12 oz | Mississippi River | Charles Ashley Jr. | 8/3/2001 |
| Colorado | 29.13 lbs | Pueblo Reservoir | Randy Stillwell | 7/11/1905 |
| Delaware | 47 lbs 12 oz | N/A | Colt Williamson | 7/11/1905 |
| Florida | 69.5 lbs | Washington County | William Stewart III | 5/30/2015 |
| Georgia | 110 lb 6 oz | Chattahoochee River | Tim Trone | 10/1/2020 |
| Illinois | 124 lbs 4 oz | Mississippi River | Tim Pruitt | 5/21/2005 |
| Indiana | 104 lb | Ohio River | Bruce Midkiff | 6/21/1905 |
| Iowa | 74 lbs 8 oz | Missouri River | Pat Lutz | 8/1/1999 |
| Kansas | 102.8 lbs | Missouri River | Robert Stanley | 8/11/2012 |
| Kentucky | 106.9 lbs | Ohio River | Glynn Grogan | 10/20/2018 |
| Maryland | 84.0 lbs | Potomac River | Ed Jones | N/A |
| Minnesota | 52 lbs 8 oz | Minnesota River | Steven J. Ness | 5/22/2002 |
| Mississippi | 95.0 lbs | Mississippi River | Dakota Hinson | 12/9/0200 |
| Missouri | 130 lbs | Missouri River | Greg Bernal | 7/20/2010 |
| Nebraska | 100 lbs 8 oz | Missouri River | Raynold Promes | 11/29/1970 |
| New Mexico | 52 lbs 1/4oz | Elephant Butte Lake | David Gower | 6/27/1905 |
| North Carolina | 85 lbs | Lake Norman | Joel Lineberger | 6/19/2004 |
| Ohio | 96 lbs | Ohio River | Chris Rolph | 6/11/2009 |
| Oklahoma | 98 lbs | Texoma | Billy Nabors | 11/11/2004 |
| South Carolina | 109 lbs 4 oz | Tailrace Canal | George A. Lijewski | 6/13/1905 |
| South Dakota | 97 lbs | Missouri River | Edward B. Elliott | 9/16/1959 |
| Texas | 121 lbs 5 oz | Lake Texoma | Cody Mullenix | 1/16/2004 |
| Virginia | 143 lbs | Buggs Island Lake | Richard “Nick” Anderson | 6/18/2011 |
| Washington | 17 lbs 12 oz | Columbia River | Rangle Hawthorne | 7/9/1975 |
What state has the largest blue catfish?
Virginia is the state with the largest blue catfish ever caught in the United States. It was caught by Richard “Nick” Anderson and weighed 143 lbs.
What is the average size blue catfish?
The average size blue catfish typically caught around 2ft long and weight 20 to 40 pound. This is much smaller than the world record of 143 lbs.
What size blue catfish is considered a trophy?
Blue Catfish start to be considered trophy at 50 lbs or more.