Michigan Man Sets New State Record Flathead Catfish in Monroe County

Codie Carlson, a Newport, Michigan man, set a new state record for flathead catfish by catching a 64.46-pound, 45-inch fish while bowfishing in Plum Creek, Monroe County. This catch surpasses the previous record of 53.35 pounds and 43 inches, held since 2022 by Lloyd Tanner from Indiana. Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist John Buszkiewicz verified the new record, noting that the same fish may have been caught during a 2020 survey when it weighed 55 pounds and measured 43 inches. State records for fish in Michigan are recognized by weight only and require verification by a certified commercial scale and a DNR biologist. Carlson expressed surprise at the size of the fish, initially mistaking it for a channel catfish. The DNR encourages anglers to follow proper procedures for record submissions and provides resources for planning fishing adventures in Michigan.