NEWPORT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A Monroe County angler made a splash in the record books after reeling in the largest catfish ever caught in Michigan waters.

Codie Carlson was bowfishing in Plum Creek on June 29 when he landed the 64.46 pound flathead catfish.

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Carlson’s 45 inch monster beasts the previous state-record flathead catfish. Previously, Lloyd Tanner of Hobart, Indiana held the record of a 53.35 pound, 43 inch catfish. He caught it on the St. Joseph River in Berrien County.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologist John Buszkiewicz verified Carlson’s new state-record fish.

Carlson described himself as a “true fishoholic” and said, “I thought I was about to shoot a channel catfish for dinner. Turns out, I guess we do have flathead catfish in these waters.”

The DNR says Michigan’s state-record fish are recognized by weight only. Click here to view a current list of Michigan state-record fish by species.