Don't Wait - Call DNR if You Think You Have a State Record Fish

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Chicamuxen

Dan Moon of Woodbridge, VA caught this 35" snakehead in Chicamuxen off of the Potomac River on June 20, 2015 on a Booyah spinner bait. Our boat scale weighed the fish at 18.8 pounds, which would be a world record on a rod and reel, if it is correct. We could not locate a certified scale to have it officially documented. The fish was killed, removed from the river and eaten. According to information online, the current and prior world records were both caught within 2 miles of the area where this fish was caught.

DNR Response:Thanks for sending in this very impressive picture of the 35 inch, 18.8 lb snakehead!

The current world record is 17 lb, 12 oz from Quantico Creek, Triangle, Virginia, caught by Luis Aragon on 5/20/2014, and the current Maryland State Record is 16.94 lbs caught by Teddy McKenzie on 6/1/2014 in the Potomac River.

For any official state or world record you must get the fish weighed on a certified scale. Unfortunately it is difficult to find a certified scale in some areas, and many tackle shops do not carry them. For example, we have weighed fish at seafood markets and grocery stores (to get certified weights). There is a certified scale at the DNR Fisheries Cedarville Field Office (301-888-2423) in Brandywine and we hope to purchase certified scales for other field offices in the future. If you think you have a state record call 443-569-1381 and immerse the fish in ice water until it can be weighed, in order to preserve the weight.

You can enter your snakehead into the MD Fishing Challenge, the minimum size is 30 inches, and it must be kept. Here is the link with the official rules: http://dnr2.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/challenge/species.aspx.