Angler breaks his own record with massive invasive species catch
Share this @internewscast.com

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Setting a record is great, but breaking your own record may be even sweeter. That’s what one angler in Oklahoma achieved over the weekend.

The record-breaking catch, an invasive bighead carp weighing over 118 pounds, was reeled in by Bryan Baker on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).

The agency shared a photo of Baker’s latest catch on social media with a notable nugget of trivia: This isn’t Baker’s first record-setting catch.

Bryan Baker caught a Bighead carp weighing 118 pounds, 10 ounces. (Image courtesy Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)

In 2023, Baker set the state record for a bighead carp catch. That one also weighed 118 pounds, just 10 ounces lighter than the carp he snagged Saturday.

Despite breaking his own record, Baker’s latest bighead carp is still a few pounds shy of the world record. A carp caught in Missouri four years ago, weighing in at 125 pounds, 5 ounces, currently holds that title.

Bighead carp are invasive, disrupting ecosystems by competing with native fish for food and habitat, says ODWC officials.

The carp is native to eastern Asia, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While the fish is usually around 40 pounds, they have been known to exceed 100 pounds and measure nearly 5 feet in length.

Originally brought to the U.S. to help keep retention ponds at aquaculture and wastewater treatment facilities clean and for human consumption, the bighead carp soon found themselves on the lam in riverways.

They have since established populations in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The FWS said the invasive fish have also been reported or stocked in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

It is illegal to import or transport the carp, eggs, or hybrids of the species across state lines without proper permitting.

Officials say if you catch a bighead carp, do not return it to the water.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Urgent Weather Alert: Southern California Drivers Advised to Rethink Christmas Travel Plans Amid Intense Storm Warnings

California’s authorities and weather experts are strongly advising against holiday travel as…

Feeding Tampa Bay Hosts Heartwarming Free Christmas Eve Meal Event for Local Community

In an effort to combat food insecurity during the holiday season, Feeding…

Over a Dozen States Take Legal Action Against HHS to Protect Youth Gender-Affirming Care

NEW YORK – On Tuesday, a group comprising 19 states and the…

Multi-Vehicle Collision in Seminole County Leaves Four Injured

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A multi-vehicle collision involving six cars in Seminole…

Florida Airport Confirms: No Chemtrail Activity Detected in Weather Modification Reports

ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, the skies are notably clear of any unusual…

Two Hunters Admit to Widespread Poaching Offenses in Middle Tennessee

The serene landscapes of Middle Tennessee, known for their rich wildlife and…

Tragic Plane Crash in Turkey Claims Libyan Army Chief: Search Teams Investigate Wreckage for Clues

ANKARA – On Wednesday, search crews successfully located the cockpit voice and…

Florida Rest Stop Laws: Can You Legally Sleep in Your Car? Discover the Facts!

ORLANDO, Fla. – As Christmas approaches, many people find themselves packing their…

Russell Brand Faces Fresh Allegations of Rape and Sexual Assault in the UK

LONDON – In a significant development, British authorities have filed additional charges…

Greeneville’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie Scores Big for Make-A-Wish: Vols Star Turns Three-Pointers into Donations

In Knoxville, Tennessee, Ja’Kobi Gillespie is playing a significant role in fulfilling…

Inside the Capitol Chaos: Police Officers Share Harrowing Accounts of January 6 Assault

WASHINGTON – EDITOR’S NOTE — We are pleased to present an exclusive…

Mexican Navy Medical Plane Experiences Communication Loss Before Texas Crash

For about a ten-minute span, air traffic controllers lost contact with a…