Florissant angler nets new official state record blue catfish, with world record pending

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
07/21/2010
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St. Louis — Greg Bernal of Florissant holds the new official Missouri state record for blue catfish (ictalurus fucatus). Bernal hooked the giant, which weighed in officially at 130 lbs, with pole and line in the Missouri River near Columbia Bottom Conservation Area at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 20.

Bernal’s catch bested the previous state pole and line record by 27 lbs. The huge blue cat also stands to topple the standing World Record by 4 pounds.

The fish measured 57 inches in length, and 45 inches in girth. It has been confirmed by Missouri Department of Conservation biologists as the new state record. Application for world record status has been submitted to the International Game Fish Association and is currently awaiting confirmation.