Massachusetts Keeps Records Of The Biggest Fish Caught In State

Some rather large fish called the Taunton River and Fall River's South Watuppa Pond home -- until being hauled out of there.

Andrew Langley caught a 9-pound, 10-ounce, 29.25-inch Bowfin in the Taunton River in 2020. In 1979, James O'Conner snagged a 2-pound, 12-ounce, 17-inch Yellow Perch in South Watuppa Pond. Both catches were record-setters.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) website lists records of the biggest fish caught in Massachusetts' waters with public access. The page includes MassWildlife record holders for both catch-and-keep and catch-and-release categories.

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MassWildlife says, "If you think your trophy fish may have broken a catch-and-keep  record, it needs to be weighed by a MassWildlife Fisheries Biologist."

READ MORE: Taunton River Has This 800-Pound Creature Lurking Beneath Surface

To bring your fish in to be weighed, you must make an appointment with steven.mattocks@mass.gov.

MassWildlife says, "The fish must be presented, in its entirety (whole)."

Since you must have a permit to transport live fish, "any fish submitted for weighing must be dead."

For your catch and release fish to appear on the list of record-setters, you must follow the rules on Masslife's website.

According to MassWildlife, most fish that set records come from lakes, ponds and rivers in western and central Massachusetts. Waterways in Plymouth, Carver, Mashpee, Falmouth and Sandwich on Cape Cod also yeiled trophy fish.

Mass.gov says, "If you are 15 or older, you need a fishing license."

Licenses are free for residents ages 15-17 and age 70 and above.

Fishing licenses are available for purchase online.