Woman breaks West Virginia catfish state record

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — An out-of-state angler has set a new record for the longest blue catfish ever caught in West Virginia.

Kimberly Feltner of Madison, Ind. caught the blue catfish at the R.C. Byrd Pool on the Ohio River in Mason County in September, Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday.  According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), the catfish was 64.15 pounds and 50.82 inches, breaking the previous record for length—although St. Albans resident Michael John Drake’s weight record from last year still stands.

The WVDNR release said that Feltner was under the direction of local fishing guide Chris Souders and using cut mooneye bait.

“Anglers have broken West Virginia’s blue catfish record multiple times over the last few years, which is a testament to the successful management efforts we’ve implemented,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “We’re excited to see what other records might be broken as resident and non-resident anglers continue to hear about our waters consistently producing trophy fish.”

Blue catfish records were broken twice in 2022 and then again in 2023 and now in 2024.

There have been a total of nine fishing records set in West Virginia this year, although a few of them are new record species that were established for the first time .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.