(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has certified nine new state record fish this spring.
Of the nine records, two are in the weight category, meaning the angler must have the fish weighed on a certified scale. Seven are in the catch-and-release category, where the angler must provide photos of the fish with clear length measurements and species identification. Anglers must also ensure the fish is released in good condition.
Among the record-setters is Ryan Bauman of Golden Valley, who caught a 36.25-inch bigmouth buffalo from Sweeney Lake in Hennepin County on April 14, besting the previous record by more than 2 inches. David Selle of Lino Lakes harvested a 4-pound, 1-ounce black crappie on May 3 from Cedar Lake in Rice County, topping the previous record by just over an ounce.
Joe Busch of Cottage Grove caught a 31.25-inch blue sucker from the Mississippi River in Dakota County on May 16. It was the first blue sucker reported to meet the minimum length requirement since the species was added to the record fish program in 2024. Chris Mulcahey of Waterville harvested a 2-pound bluegill from Big Stone Lake in Big Stone County on May 29, topping the previous record by 3 ounces.
Travis Keating of Fargo, North Dakota, caught and released an 80-inch lake sturgeon on April 18 from the Rainy River in Lake of the Woods County, adding 2 inches to the record length.
Both Matthew Hammer of White Bear Township and Joe Bouta of Benson caught and released record lake trout from Lake Superior in Lake County. Hammer’s trout, caught on April 13, measured 44 inches, beating the previous record by 0.75 inches. Bouta’s trout, caught on May 9, measured 45.5 inches, surpassing Hammer’s mark by 1.5 inches.
Sadie Spatafore of Maple Grove caught a 30-inch steelhead from the Stewart River in Lake County on May 10, improving upon the previous record, set by her older sister, Lucy, by 1.5 inches. Isaac Richart of Northfield caught a 30.5-inch shortnose gar on June 6 from the Minnesota River in Scott County. It was the first shortnose gar to meet the minimum length requirement since the DNR added the species to the record fish program in 2024.
The record fish program has been managed by the Minnesota DNR and its predecessor fisheries management agencies for over 100 years. The DNR expanded the program in 2024 to include catch-and-release records for 18 species, up from four previously recognized.
Certification requirements, application forms and current record fish lists are available on the Minnesota DNR website.
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