Latest news with #WVDNR
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Angler shatters previous fish state record by reeling in black crappie
A West Virginia angler just broke a fish record in the Mountain State. Jerry Porter of Harts, West Virginia, caught a black crappie while fishing at East Lynn Lake in Wayne County. Porter reeled in the 17.7-inch fish that weighed in at 3.6-pounds, according to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The sunfish was caught on a minnow-tipped jig on a 6-pound test line. The previous black crappie state record was a 3.15-pound, 17.76-inch fish caught in 2024. Black crappies stretch 10.8 inches on average, with the heaviest ever reported at six pounds, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (FWS). The fish are commonly found in freshwater lakes, often traveling in schools while swimming in clear water, according to FWS. Porter's record marks the third state record shattered so far in 2025. Two West Virginia fishermen recently broke state records while reeling in their catches on the same day in April. Jason Floyd caught a 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker, according to the WVDNR and as previously reported by Fox News Digital. John Plott caught a hefty 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, marking his second record-breaking catch of the species. In order to fish in West Virginia, anglers over the age of 14 must obtain a state fishing license.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
West Virginia fisherman breaks state record for black crappie
STILTNER, (WBOY) — Another West Virginia fishing record has been broken! The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced Monday that a Lincoln County fisherman has broken the state weight record for black crappie. According to a release, Jerry Porter of Harts, caught a 3.6-pound, 17.7-inch black crappie on May 7 in East Lynn Lake in Wayne County. He used a minnow-tipped jig on a six-pound test line to make the catch, which was later confirmed by WVDNR Assistant District Fisheries Biologist Jake Whalen. Million dollar Powerball ticket sold at West Virginia casino The previous weight record was set in 2024 by Dwight Priestley at Woodrum Lake in Jackson County with a 3.15-pound crappie. That fish was 17.76 inches long and still holds the record as of Monday. Porter's catch is the third record-setting one of 2025 as of May 12, with the others including a 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker and 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, which were both reported in April on the same day Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
12-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Lucky anglers break two state fishing records on same day: 'Dedication and passion'
Two fortunate fishermen in the Mountain State recently broke two statewide records, both on the same day. In a May 1 announcement, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) said the two records were broken on April 22. The records are related to two different types of fish: a redhorse sucker and a redear sunfish. Washington, West Virginia, resident Jason Floyd caught the 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker at the Belleville Lock and Dam on the Ohio River, according to the WVDNR. "He caught the fish using a FloBell Bottom Tackle swimbait and jighead on a 10-pound braided line," the state agency noted. Later on April 22, John Plott caught a hefty 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, marking his second record-breaking catch of the species. Plott's latest catch broke the West Virginia state record for redear sunfish length, but his previous weight record of 1.75 pounds still stands. The Oak Hill resident caught the record-breaking fish using a nightcrawler, according to WVDNR. He reeled it in at Plum Orchard Lake in Fayette County. In a statement, WVDNR director Brett McMillion said that he was "thrilled to recognize Mr. Floyd and Mr. Plott for their outstanding achievements." "We look forward to seeing more milestones like these in the future." The official added, "These records highlight the incredible fishing opportunities available across West Virginia as well as the dedication and passion of our anglers." McMillion also said, "Establishing new record categories was an important step in honoring the diversity of our fisheries, and we look forward to seeing more milestones like these in the future." Floyd is the first angler to break the redhorse sucker state record since the agency added the fish to its record categories in 2024, according to WVDNR. The impressive catches are a few of many fishing state records that have been broken over the past year. Last summer, a Texas angler caught a 71-pound smallmouth buffalo in Austin's Lady Bird Lake.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston Diocese discusses election of Pope Leo XIV
WHEELING, WV (WVNS) — The election of U.S.-born Robert Prevost as Pope on Thursday caused surprise around the world. Prevost, who chose the name Pope Leo XVI, was Pope Francis' chief advisor for choosing bishops. Pope Leo XVI is reportedly committed to Catholic social justice programs and spent much of his religious life serving the poor in Peru. Bishop Mark Brennan of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese in Ohio County said on Thursday, May 8, 2025, that Cardinals are often reluctant to elect a Pope from countries which are world powers, such as the U.S. and China. The bishop said, however, that Pope Leo XVI's service in Latin America likely overcame their concerns. Black Bear safety tips from WVDNR 'He's identified with people in another part of the world, and especially in an area of that world where there's been a lot of conflict, a lot of injustice, not that we don't have them here,' said Bishop Brennan. 'I think that would have overcome most of the reluctance any of them felt.' Bishop Brennan said the home country of the new Pope is not important. Man allegedly crashes in Z-Way work zone at Daniels while impaired 'I'm just glad that we have a pope,' he said. 'I really didn't care where he came from. 'It's a surprise that they chose a U.S.-born and raised man to be the pope. That is a surprise.' Bishop Brennan reminded believers to 'pray for the other.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
