8/6/2007

Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Bret Preston, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

New State Record Striped Bass

A state record for striped bass was recently caught by Michael Pittman, Jr., of Wayside in Monroe County, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources. Pittman caught the 40.88-inch, 21.38-pound fish from Bluestone Lake in Summers County on July 8, 2007. He caught the record striped bass using a crank bait while fishing near the mouth of the Bluestone River. Pittman’s catch establishes a new West Virginia record for length. The previous length record for striped bass was a 37.75-inch fish caught by Harold Mills from Bluestone Lake in 2006. The current state record weight for striped bass is a 29.56-pound fish caught by Terry Watkins at Bluestone Lake.

Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2007 Fishing Regulations brochure. The brochure also outlines the procedure to follow for reporting their catch. This information is also available online at www.wvdnr.gov

**DNR**