Man catches record-breaking channel catfish in Wayne County

WAYNE, W.Va. (WOWK) — A Wayne County angler is the sixth person to break a West Virginia fishing record in 2024.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has announced that John Tyler Rutherford caught a record-breaking channel catfish on July 21. Rutherford caught the 43.51-inch, 46.70-lb. catfish in a pond on his father’s Wayne County farm.

The WVDNR said that Rutherford caught the catfish using worms as bait. The DNR’s District Fishery Biologist Jeff Hansbarger and Assistant Fishery Biologist Jake Whalen traveled to the pond to measure and weigh the catch.

“I want to congratulate John Tyler Rutherford on his outstanding catch,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion “This remarkable achievement highlights the superior quality of West Virginia’s fisheries and the dedication of our team in maintaining and enhancing these aquatic resources.”

Rutherford’s catch broke the weight record that had been set in 2023, and the length record that had been set in 2022. Both of those fish were caught in South Mill Creek Lake in Grant County by Alan Burkett of Moorefield in Hardy County.

“West Virginia’s incredible fishing opportunities continue to amaze and attract anglers from near and far and this record-breaking achievement showcases the world-class fishing adventures our state has to offer,” said West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.

In 2024, anglers across the state have also caught a record-breaking tiger trout, redbreast sunfish, bowfin, redear sunfish and black crappie. To learn how to report a potentially record-breaking catch, visit the DNR’s website.

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