Michigan Angler Sets New Flathead Catfish State Record

Codie Carlson of Newport, Michigan, set a new state record by catching the largest flathead catfish ever recorded in Michigan, weighing 64.46 pounds and measuring 45 inches long. The catch, made by bowfishing on Plum Creek, significantly surpassed the previous record of 53.35 pounds held by Lloyd Tanner since 2022. Verified by Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist John Buszkiewicz, the fish may have been previously caught during a 2020 scientific survey when it weighed 55 pounds. Carlson, a self-described "true fishoholic," expressed amazement at the size of the fish, noting he initially thought he was targeting a channel catfish. Michigan recognizes state records based on weight alone, regardless of fishing method, and Carlson emphasized that bowfishing should be respected as a legitimate sport. Though Carlson usually releases his catches, he kept this record-setting fish as a keepsake to honor its legacy.