In a remarkable feat in the world of angling, Monroe County's own Codie Carlson has set a new state record in Michigan by landing a giant flathead catfish, an achievement confirmed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), According to a report by WXYZ, the fish tipped the scales at an impressive 64.46 pounds and measured 45 inches in length, outdoing the previous record holder by a significant margin when bowfishing in Plum Creek on June 29.
The prior flathead catfish record, which stood at 53.35 pounds and was 43 inches, was established by Lloyd Tanner of Hobart, Indiana in 2022, as remembered by WOODTV; however, Carlson, who self-identifies as a "true fishoholic," was not initially aware he was on the verge of a record claiming "I thought I was about to shoot a channel catfish for dinner. Turns out, I guess we do have flathead catfish in these waters," Carlson disclosed to the DNR. John Buszkiewicz, a DNR fisheries biologist, validated the new record, which may have a history with the department, as his crew likely caught the same fish during a survey back in 2020, and it measured 43 inches long and weighed 55 pounds at that time.
To recognize a new state record in Michigan, the fish must not only exceed the existing record but also be weighed on a state-certified commercial scale and have its species confirmation done by a DNR fisheries biologist, as detailed by UpNorthLive. These strict criteria ensure the integrity of the record-keeping process and official recognition of such exceptional catches.
Codie Carlson's accomplishment is not just for his glory, it casts a spotlight on the often-unexpected bounty of Michigan's waterways and the dedicated anglish who pursue the thrill of the catch, it can be said that his feat serves as a testament to both the dedication of sports fishermen and the surprising revelations that local waters can yield, according to the DNR list of record catches available on their website, showcases the potential for more such discoveries in the future.
