By now, many of you have heard about the latest state-record fish, a white perch, caught in the Delaware River that weighed a whopping 2 pounds, 1 ounce. This is a fantastic accomplishment and one that any angler should be proud of, and every time it happens, other anglers start thinking, “What would I do if I caught a state record?” Although the question is more in line with whether they would enjoy local hero status, let me tell you what you need to do to ensure that record fish is accepted as official.

You would be surprised by the number of people who claim to have caught a state-record fish, or more accurately, a fish bigger than the official state record. Why don’t you see their catch records in official annals of fishing stardom? Aside from the fact that their fish wasn’t as big as they now claim — a common phenomenon when fishing — they never followed the steps to get it certified.

Unless they intentionally chase a state record, most anglers have yet to learn how to get a potential record certified. Once you have the fish in your grasp, trying to think clearly and figure out the next step is more challenging than you may think, and one mistake can sink your newfound fame quicker than a 5-ounce weight. Let’s take a look at what you need to do:

Get the fish weighed. Although your handheld scale is a starting point, official measurements must be made on a certified scale that can provide a printout. While your local marina or tackle shop might have a scale, the chances are good it does not meet this requirement. Instead, you need to head to the nearest grocery store, produce supplier, or similar place that can see items by weight.

The weight must exceed the current record by at least 2 ounces.

There must be a witness other than yourself, the scale operator, or someone who witnessed the catch.

Current State Records

Species Weight

Largemouth bass 11lbs, 3 oz.

Rock bass 3lbs, 2 oz

Smallmouth bass 8lbs, 8 oz.

Striped bass (inland) 53lbs, 12 oz

Striped bass (marine) 53lbs, 13 oz.

White bass 4lbs, 0 oz

Bluegill 2lbs, 9 oz

Common carp 52lbs, 0 oz

Bullhead catfish 4lbs, 10 oz

Channel catfish 35lbs, 3 oz

Flathead catfish 66lbs, 6 oz

White or black crappie 4lbs, 3 oz

Freshwater drum 19lbs, 14 oz

Muskellunge 54lbs, 3 oz.

White perch 2lbs., 1 oz

Yellow perch 3lbs, 0 oz

Chain pickeral 8lbs, 15 oz.

Northern pike 35lbs, 0 oz.

Atlantic salmon 17lbs, 2 oz.

Chinook salmon 28lbs, 15 oz.

Coho salmon 15lbs, 5 oz.

Pink salmon 4lns, 8 oz

Sauger 4lbs, 0 oz.

American shad 9lbs, 9 oz.

Suckers 12lbs, 14 oz.

Brook trout 7lbs. 0 oz.

Golden trout 13lbs, 8 oz

Lake trout 31lbs, 13 oz.

Rainbow trout 15lbs, 6 oz.

Steelhead trout 20lbs, 3 oz.

Walleye 18lbs, 1 oz.

Contact the nearest Fish & Boat Commission Office. An employee, usually a Waterways Conservation Officer or biologist, will arrange to meet you, inspect the fish, and certify the species and weight. This may take a while, even several days, so be prepared to store the fish and only clean, gut, or otherwise alter the fish after this takes place.

Regional Law Enforcement Offices

Northwest: 814-337-0444

Southwest: 814-445-8974

Northcentral: 814-359-5250

Southcentral: 717-486-7087

Northeast: 570-477-5717

Southeast: 717-626-0228

Get pictures. You will have many photos of any fish you think is a state record, but you will need a specific picture for submission with your state application; close-ups with as much detail as possible. Spread the fins, if needed, biologists can see specific features such as the number of rays, connective tissue, etc.

Make sure pictures are in color and not blurred.

Complete the official Application for State Record Fish, available on the Fish & Boat Commission website, and submit it to:

PA Fish & Boat Commission

State Record Fish Program

PO Box 67000

Harrisburg Pa 17106-7000

Goodluck. Good Fishing.