State Record Fishes and Awards

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​State Record Fish Program​​​

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources proudly honors remarkable catches through its State Record Fish program, which recognizes the largest fish of each species legally caught in the state. Have you hooked a noteworthy catch that didn’t quite break the record? We invite you to apply for the ​ Trophy Fish & Master Angler Awards program. 

Requirements

To qualify for consideration as a state record, the fish must have been caught in Kentucky waters by rod and reel or on a pole and line.  Please Note: Fish taken in other methods, such as commercial gear, by trotlines,​ or by snagging, snaring, or bow fishing, are ineligible.

•   Weighed on a certified legal-for-trade scale. If available, attach the scale's printout to the State Record Fish Application. 
  
• ​ The weighing must be witnessed by at least three (3) disinterested persons, whose signatures must appear on the State Record Fish Application or on an attached sheet. 
  
• ​Kept intact (not gutted or filleted) until identification is complete.
  
• ​ Verified in person by a KDFWR ​fishery biologist or by the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery manager.
  

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Image Credit: State Record Lake Sturgeon caught by Barney Frazier on Lake Cumberland in 1958.

Historic State Record Fish

Notice the "​"​ icon. This icon indicates that we are no longer accepting submissions for that fish species. However, the historical catches of anglers will remain displayed on this page to highlight their achievements. 

Please Note: No listing for a species means no record currently exists for that species.

Reference Links​