Massive 94-LB Catfish Caught in Popular South Carolina Lake

Imagine catching the largest blue catfish in your local lake. One teenager and his uncle won’t have to imagine this feeling as of December 30, 2023. Continue reading to discover one of the largest catfish in the Catawba Wateree River Basin, as well as additional state records.

Discover the Blue Catfish Caught on Lake Wateree

On one chilly Saturday in December, Destin Fox and his uncle, Ryan Williams, had been fishing out on Lake Wateree when Fox reeled in the biggest catch record on the lake. The blue catfish weighed 94 pounds, making it one of the largest blue catfish ever found in the Catawba Wateree River Basin.

Rather than keeping this record-breaking blue catfish, Fox and Williams later returned the fish to the waters. While 94 pounds is undoubtedly impressive, by releasing the fish back into the wild, it now has the chance to grow to even larger proportions. 

Largest Blue Catfish in South Carolina

While Fox’s blue catfish may be the largest catfish to be caught in Lake Wateree and the Catawava Wateree River Basin, it’s not the largest catfish in the state. Instead, to find the largest catfish in South Carolina, you’ll need to look back to Lake Moultrie in 2017. This blue catfish weighed 113.8 pounds, nearly 20 pounds more than that of Fox’s blue catfish.

Species Profile: Blue Catfish

The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is one of the largest freshwater fish in North America. In fact, on the continent, it is the largest species of catfish. Adults can live up to 20 years. During this impressive lifespan, they can reach average sizes of up to 46 inches and 70 pounds. However, as proven by Fox’s blue catfish and the South Carolina state record, these interesting fish can tip the scales much further. 

Although a native species in North America, blue catfish do not occur naturally in South Carolina and many of the nearby states. Instead, these omnivores have been introduced to various lakes and reservoirs throughout the country. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Billy Ogle/Flickr – License / Original