2 record-breaking fish caught in West Virginia this month

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — New state records were established this month for two types of fish in West Virginia.

Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced in a press release that the first-ever state records were set for black crappie and redear sunfish. Both types of fish were added to the state’s fishing records at the beginning of the year , and these were the first fish caught that surpassed the state’s minimum record size.

The new state record black crappie was caught in Woodrum Lake in Jackson County on June 9 by Craig Webb. It measured 17.32 inches and weighed 2.85 pounds.

The new state record redear sunfish was caught at Plum Orchard Lake in Fayette County on June 6 by John Plott. His fish measured 12 inches and 1.75 pounds, according to Justice’s press release.

Of the five new fishing records that were created back in January , at least three of them have been set, including the two so far this month and the record for the redbreast sunfish that Gov. Justice announced back in March .

Also in 2024 so far, the longest longnose gar at 53.62 inches was caught in Mason County , the largest bowfin at 10.60 pounds was caught in Mason County , and the largest tiger trout at 11.98 pounds was caught in Grant County .

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