Auston Hoffman of Milton, West Virginia, holds the state
record blue catfish he caught April 26, 2014, in the Ohio River
A state record blue catfish was caught last year from the Ohio River, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
The record blue catfish was caught by Austin Hoffman of Milton, West Virginia. Hoffman caught the 47.75-inch, 52.95-pound fish using cut bait from the Ohio River below R.C. Byrd Dam April 26, 2014.
Hoffman's catch establishes a new West Virginia record for length and weight. The previous record was a 43.9-inch, 44.5-pound blue catfish caught by Mark A. Foster.
Eating fish out of West Virginia rivers is with caution and limitations related to the amount of mercury in the fish, mercury coming mostly from fossil fuel power plants.
Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2014 Fishing Regulations brochure. The brochure also outlines the procedure to follow for reporting their catch. This information is also available online at www.wvdnr.gov | 
