29-05-2025
Catch a huge fish in West Virginia? You might qualify for recognition even if it's not a record
Video shows new state records for largemouth bass and blue catfish that were caught in May 2025.
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) offers Trophy Fish Citations to recognize anglers with especially impressive catches.
Anglers who catch the longest or heaviest fish in state history in certain categories are recognized as state record holders, given a certificate and often honored with news coverage. If an angler misses the record but meets certain length criteria, they could also be recognized, if they fill out an application.
The fish must 1. Meet the length requirement listed below, 2. Be caught legally by a licensed angler, 3. Be measured in front of a witness or photographed.
Brook Trout – 15 inches
Blue Catfish – 35 inches
Brown Trout – 21 inches
Bullhead Catfish – 16 inches
Rainbow Trout – 21 inches
Channel Catfish – 25 inches
Golden Rainbow Trout – 21 inches
Flathead Catfish – 35 inches
Tiger Trout – 21 inches
Crappie – 15 inches
Largemouth Bass – 21 inches
Sunfish – 10 inches
Smallmouth Bass – 20 inches
Chain Pickerel – 20 inches
Spotted Bass – 14 inches
Northern Pike – 32 inches
Rock Bass – 10 inches
Walleye – 28 inches
Striped Bass – 30 inches
Sauger – 17 inches
Hybrid Striped Bass – 24 inches
Yellow Perch – 13 inches
White Bass – 15 inches
Freshwater Drum – 22 inches
Muskellunge – 45 inches
Fallfish – 18 inches
Tiger Musky – 40 inches
Common Carp – 31 inches
Fish for free without a license at West Virginia's Free Fishing Days
The application for a Trophy Fish Citation is available online here. It must be filled out and mailed to the following address within 60 days of the catch:
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources324 4th Avenue | Room 306South Charleston, WV 25303
The citations for trophy fish in West Virginia include colorful, original artwork by Joseph Tomelleri. An angler can receive one trophy citation for each species of fish per calendar year.
Think you caught a fish that is a state record? A record catch must be certified by the WVDNR witness and this form must be filled out. You can see the current records online here, which includes multiple records that have already been broken in 2025.
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