2 Record-Breaking Black Crappie Catches On The Same Day – West Virginia!
Aug 23rd, 2024 by Chris Munchow
Modified Aug 23rd, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Aug 22, 2024
Governor Jim Justice recently announced a significant achievement in West Virginia’s fishing community. On August 8th, two anglers set new state records for black crappie in both length and weight, highlighting the exceptional fishing opportunities in the state.
The day began with Lindell Marker from Sod, West Virginia, catching a 17.36-inch black crappie at Woodrum Lake. This catch broke the previous length record of 17.32 inches and tied the weight record of 2.85 pounds.
Just over an hour later, Dwight Priestley from Alum Creek, West Virginia, surpassed Marker’s record with a 17.76-inch, 3.15-pound black crappie, setting new records for both length and weight.
These remarkable catches were verified by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Fisheries Biologist, Cory Hartman. Both anglers were using live minnows.
Woodrum Lake has once again proven its status as a premier fishing destination, with these latest records underscoring the lake’s reputation. The WVDNR has noted that 2024 has been a banner year for record-breaking catches, with a total of eight new state records set so far. Among these are records for channel catfish, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, and tiger trout across various lakes in the state.
Anglers 15 and older are required to have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be conveniently purchased online at WVfish.com. For those targeting trout, a trout stamp is necessary. Additionally, anglers have the option to enhance their fishing experience by upgrading to a physical license card when purchasing their 2024 fishing license.
This year’s achievements serve as a testament to West Virginia’s thriving fisheries, attracting anglers from near and far to explore and enjoy the state’s world-class fishing opportunities.