The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Kerry Glenn of Sedalia became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a goldeye on Truman Lake using a rod and reel.
The new “pole and line” record goldeye caught by Glenn on May 25 weighed 2 pounds, 2 ounces. It broke the previous state-record of 2 pounds. Glenn was crappie fishing using minnow for bait when he caught the goldeye.
“As soon as I hooked the fish I knew right away that it wasn’t a crappie,” Glenn said. “After getting the fish in the boat, I really had no idea what I caught.”
Glenn added he thought he caught a shad, but after taking his fish to Lost Valley Hatchery to get it identified and weighed, he then found out that he caught a state-record goldeye.
“I was so shocked to hear that I caught a state-record fish,” he said. “It took a while for that to sink in, and once it did I couldn’t be any prouder. I have fished Truman Lake my entire life and never thought I would catch a state-record fish, and just like that, I did.”
Goldeyes are a part of the mooneye family, and most often found in the open waters of large rivers and lakes. Goldeyes have large eyes and prominent teeth on the jaws, roof of mouth, and tongue. Anglers often mistake the goldeye for skipjack herring while fishing for bait.
“I’m so very honored and humbled to hold a Missouri state record for the largest goldeye,” Glenn said.
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/2efq1vl.