West Virginia fisherman catches record breaking catfish

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced on Thursday that an angler from Wayne County has caught a state record channel catfish, marking the sixth state record catch of 2024 so far.

“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 Gov. Jim Justice.

WVDNR officials say John Tyler Rutherford caught the 43.51-inch, 46.70-pound channel catfish in his father’s farm pond in Wayne County on July 21, breaking the length record set in 2022 and the weight record set in 2023. Both records previously were held by Alan Burkett of Moorefield in Hardy County, who caught his fish at South Mill Creek Lake in Grant County.

“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.”

According to WVDNR officials, Rutherford reeled in his record catch using worms. WVDNR District Fishery Biologist Jeff Hansbarger and Assistant Fishery Biologist Jake Whalen traveled to the site to measure and weigh the record fish.

In addition to this channel catfish, record tiger trout, redbreast sunfish, bowfin, redear sunfish and black crappie have been caught this year.

To learn more about state record catches, visit WVdnr.gov/state-records .

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