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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Jeff Rowland of Poplar Bluff became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he gigged a northern hog sucker on the Current River in Ripley County. The new “alternative method” record fish caught by Rowland on Oct. 15 weighed 2 pounds, 8 ounces with a length of 18.3 inches. Rowland’s recent catch broke the previous state-record held by his cousin of a 2-pound, 3-ounce northern hog sucker gigged in 2010.
“I knew it was big fish when I gigged it, but I was shocked to see it outweighed the state-record,” Jeff Rowland said.
Once MDC gave Rowland confirmation he had a state record, Rowland said he was super excited. “I can’t believe I now hold the alternative methods state-record for northern hog sucker!” he said. “I am just glad it’s another Rowland holding the record.”
MDC staff verified the northern hog sucker’s weight by weighing on a certified scale in West Plains.
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/2efq1vl.
