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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Tyler Goodale of Poplar Bluff for catching a new state-record spotted sucker. The 5-pound, 4-ounce fish not only breaks the previous state-record, a 3-pound, 10-ounce fish caught in 2014 also by Goodale, but also qualifies for the world record.
“Goodale’s latest catch beats the existing world record by nearly 2-pounds,” said MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “The previous world record was a 3-pound, 5-ounce sucker caught back in 2008 in Tennessee. Missouri has had a number of world-record fish over the years. Currently the state holds at least five world records.”
Goodale was fishing at Duck Creek Conservation Area April 1 when he caught the fish using the pole-and-line method.
“I’ve fished for spotted sucker at Duck Creek before and have already broken a state and world record,” mentioned Goodale. “But I didn’t submit that entry because I knew I could catch a bigger fish! This was the catch I was waiting for so I’ll submit this one for the world record.”
MDC staff verified the spotted sucker’s weight using a certified scale at MDC’s Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau. This is the fifth state-record fish of 2020.
Goodale is familiar with spotted sucker and has spent time researching them with MDC as a volunteer.
“I’ve put a lot of homework into this species and I’ve put in a lot of time,” he explained. “They always spawn in April and always spawn in the west side of the pool. They’re a temperamental fish and not that easy to catch. You really need to know what to look for. You only have about a five-to-ten second window once you present them with bait.”
Goodale said his latest record will be used for science.
“I plan on getting a fiberglass replica, but the fish itself is currently in my freezer and will be used for research,” he said. “I’ve got a buddy in MDC’s Fisheries division and we’re going to take a look at the fish and try to age it.”
Goodale said he’s enjoyed fishing at Duck Creek for more than 30 years.
“I’ve made a lot of memories there and I want to thank MDC for managing the area and fish habitat so well.”
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
For more information on state-record fish, visit http://bit.ly/2efq1vl.
