Less than halfway through 2009, Missouri anglers already have broken as many fishing records as normally fall in a year.
The latest record catches were a smallmouth buffalo and a shorthead redhorse. They are the fourth and fifth records to fall this year.
Lucas Dement, of Ste. Genevieve, was bowfishing at Duck Creek Conservation Area in April when he shot a 46-pound, 8-ounce smallmouth buffalo for a new alternative methods record. The previous record was a 43-pound, 4-ounce fish taken from the St. Francis River with archery tackle. Dement’s fish was 39 inches long and had a girth of 32.25 inches.
Gerald W Wright, of Independence, was fishing with worms at Truman Lake the afternoon of May 16 when he hooked a 2-pound, 14.1-ounce shorthead redhorse measuring 18.5 inches. The previous pole-and-line record was a 2-pounder taken from the Meramec River.
Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Programs Supervisor Rich Wehnes said the agency averages four or five new fishing records a year.
The three other records certified this year were a northern hogsucker caught Jan. 31, a yellow perch taken Feb. 18 and another yellow perch caught May 3.
The conservation department recognizes fishing records in two categories – pole-and-line and alternative methods, which include gigging, bowfishing and the use of trotlines, pole and bank lines and other setlines.
A list of Missouri fishing records, rules and entry forms are available online at www.missouriconservation.org. Click on keywords “Fishing” and “Browse Fishing by Subject.”
