A 7-year-old boy now holds the record for the largest-ever catfish caught at Lake Lamar Bruce just outside of Saltillo.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks reports that Gunnar Cheney reeled in a 17.7-pounder at the 300-acre state fishing lake in Lee County.
Record fish are weighed and verified by the lake manager, lake supervisor, or fisheries biologist. Anglers who catch a lake record fish receive a certificate acknowledging their catch.
“What a great example of why it’s cool to introduce kids to the outdoors,” a statement from the MDWFP reads.
Lake Lamar Bruce is known for its large redear sunfish and bluegill as well as its abundance of other fish species including largemouth bass. Complete renovations in recent years have included the construction of two new levees, fish attractors, fishing piers, and a new pond.
Other fishing records at the Mississippi lake can be found here.