Landing a state record fish is a unique accomplishment that few can claim. To track these tremendous achievements and credit the anglers who made them, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has maintained records for the largest fish, by length and weight, of each game species taken by hook and line within West Virginia waters for several decades. Some records have been set within just the last few years, while others remain unbroken for more than 60 years.
Reporting Procedures
Have you caught a potential state record? If so, please contact your district’s fishery biologist who is needed to authenticate the species, length and weight of your catch. Contact information for your district’s biologist can be found on the State Fish Reporting Form or in the Fishing Regulations Summary.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE STATE FISH RECORD REPORTING FORM.
Once the reporting form has been filled out and witnessed by a DNR fishery biologist, please submit the form to the following address:
Wildlife Resources Section
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
324 4th Ave.
South Charleston, WV 25303
Trophy Fish Citation
If your fish does not qualify as a state record, you may still be able to receive a trophy citation for your catch. Unlike state records, a trophy citation is based on length alone; there is no weight criteria to be met. Trophy citations recognize prized catches that exceed a certain size, and each game fish has its own length that determines if a fish counts as a trophy.
To apply for a citation, complete the Trophy Fish Citation Application. A third party must witness the catch and sign the form, confirming the length. Submit the form to the following address:
Wildlife Resources Section
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
324 4th Ave.
South Charleston, WV 25303
For more information about trophy citations, go to the trophy citations page in the current Fishing Regulations Summary. View current state records on page 25.
Husky Musky Club
Membership Rules
To be eligible for membership, an angler must catch a legal-sized muskellunge (30 inches or longer measured from the tip of snout to end of tail) on rod and reel from West Virginia waters. The application must be filled out and mailed to the West Virginia Husky Musky Club within 30 days of catch. The angler submitting this application automatically becomes a club member and will be presented a membership certificate at the annual awards banquet.
Special certificates are awarded to those anglers who catch a musky at least 40 inches in length. Annual awards are also given for outstanding musky fishing achievements, including Trophies to the active members who catch the longest and the heaviest muskellunge.
A musky of 40 inches or more in length must be weighed on certified scales (unless released) and be witnessed by two other adults, one of whom must be the owner or clerk in charge of the scales. Only one witness is required for a musky less than 40 inches and certified scale weight is not required. Photographs of catches are appreciated.