Jacob Vosburgh, 20, of Lexington Park, caught the fish recorded at 8.27 pounds June 1 in the southern Potomac River. (Photo courtesy of Maryland DNR)
June 14, 2017
By Scott Bernarde
State catfish record-holder Jacob Vosburgh, 20, of Lexington Park was the first to break the minimum set by the state when it recognized white catfish as a game fish.
From Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources confirmed a St. Mary's County man has set a new nontidal state fishing record for white catfish.
Jacob Vosburgh, 20, of Lexington Park, caught the fish recorded at 8.27 pounds June 1 in the southern Potomac River. (Photo courtesy of Maryland DNR)
The fish was recognized as a game fish a few years ago, but until now nobody had broken the seven-pound minimum weight to be eligible for state records.
Jacob Vosburgh, 20, of Lexington Park, caught the fish recorded at 8.27 pounds June 1 in the southern Potomac River. The white catfish was 23 inches in length.
"Even before we took it out of the water, just judging by the size of its head we knew it was state record," said Vosburgh.
Veronica Beck of Crabknockers, a seafood market in Leonardtown, certified the fish's weight.
The department maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions — Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal and Invasive — and awards plaques to anglers who achieve record catches. Fish caught from privately-owned, fee-fishing waters are not eligible for record consideration.
Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and fill out the state record application and call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325. The department suggests the fish be immersed in ice water to preserve its weight until it can be checked, confirmed and certified.
