Massive Channel Catfish Caught in Indiana—Largest in 40 Years!

Two anglers from Indiana recently reeled in what they called "the fish of a lifetime" after an impressive 20-minute battle in Hoosier waters.

READ MORE: Is This the Best Fishing Spot in Southern Indiana?

As someone who loves to fish, I get excited when I see stories like this one. Earlier this week, the Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife announced that Hoosiers Bryan and Kim Cox had caught a massive channel catfish from the Salamonie Reservoir in Huntington County, Indiana. In fact, the fish they reeled in was the biggest channel catfish caught in the Hoosier state in decades.

The organization reported that Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Officer Ben Duecker helped the two get their fish onto a certified scale, which weighed it at 36 pounds and 10.5 ounces—just 13.5 ounces short of the state record. Bryan entered the fish in the Indiana Fish of the Year Program before releasing it back into the reservoir to swim another day. According to the Indiana DNR, the state's catfish record still stands at 37 pounds and 8 ounces, set by Randy E. Jones in 1980.

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The above picture just goes to show you never know what you’re going to find in Indiana waters. While many anglers may feel the need to exaggerate their fishing experiences, it's safe to say Bryan and Kim won't have to ever again. Perhaps I’ll have to make a trip up to Huntington County in the near future.

You can learn more about the Indiana Record Fish Program by clicking HERE.