Oklahoma angler gets state-record longnose gar

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News from the region
Southwest
Published Date
04/18/2013
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THEODOSIA, Mo. – A big fish and a state-record certificate has made a recent fishing trip to Bull Shoals Lake memorable for Chris Kimble.

While bowfishing on April 5, the Thomas, Okla., resident harvested a 35-pound, 9-ounce longnose gar at Bull Shoals. Kimble’s fish set the state record for longnose gar taken by alternative methods. The old mark was 34 pounds, 7 ounces. The large longnose measured 65 ½ inches in length and had a girth of 20 ¾ inches. Kimble’s catch was certified on scales at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Branson.

Missouri’s State Record Fish Award program recognizes an angler’s top achievement – catching the biggest fish of that species in state history. Anglers who have fish that meet the criteria are awarded a plaque and will be entered onto the state record fishing list.

Anglers who catch unusually large fish but fall short of state record weight can get recognition through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Master Angler Award program. Information about Missouri’s state fishing records and the Master Angler Award are available at mdc.mo.gov.org