The Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in Tennessee Was as Big as a Bullmastiff

Blue catfish aren’t just big–they’re massive! They’re the largest type of catfish in all of North America, with only the flathead catfish even coming close to its enormous size as a runner-up. They’re one of the most sought-after and prized game fish in North America thanks to their size and fight when hooked, and anglers across the continent are constantly vying for a chance to reel in their record-breaking individual! But what was the largest blue catfish ever caught in Tennessee, and how does it measure up to the world record? Read on to find out!

Get to Know the Blue Catfish: Overview and Fun Facts

As the largest species of North American catfish, the blue catfish is truly a monster of a fish! On average, when fully grown, it reaches anywhere from 1.5 to 3 feet long and weighs around 30 pounds. Especially large specimens, however, commonly top 100 pounds, and they can measure well over four feet long. In addition to its massive size, it also enjoys a long lifespan–it can live to 20 years or more.

As its name implies, the blue catfish is mostly solid, bluish-gray. Its large, hefty body has a dorsal hump, giving it a bit of a humpbacked appearance. Though they closely resemble their relative channel catfish, it is possible to tell the two apart by counting the number of rays on their anal fins. While blue catfish consistently have at least 30 to 35 rays, channel catfish always have 29 or fewer, usually between 25 and 29. Atop its upper lip is a single barbel, or long, whisker-like tendril, on either side. These serve as sensory organs for the fish.

While some catfish like the flathead variety have a distinctive underbite, the blue catfish’s upper jaw instead protrudes slightly and extends past its lower jaw. Another easily identifiable trait is its prominently forked tail.

What is the Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in Tennessee?

The largest blue catfish ever caught in Tennessee was an enormous 122-pound, 3-ounce specimen! This incredible record belongs to angler Micka Burkhart, who caught the record-breaking fish at Barkley Reservoir in middle Tennessee’s Stewart County. The specimen’s length was 57.5 inches or about 4.8 feet. Its girth was a similarly impressive 42.5 inches.

Burkhart caught the catfish on June 28, 2023, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency verified his record a few weeks later on July 11th. Importantly, his catch beats a previous record Burkhart himself set back in September 2022, which weighed 118 pounds.

Barkley Reservoir is a popular fishing spot for Tennessee and Kentucky anglers. It rests along Kentucky’s Cumberland River and was opened in 1966. In its entirety, it covers nearly 58,000 acres. It also forms Lake Barkley, a 134-mile-long lake with a 1,004-mile shoreline.

What is the Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in the World?

Tennessee’s largest blue catfish is certainly impressive, but how does it measure up to the current world record? Unfortunately, both of Burkhart’s astonishing catches fall a bit short–the largest blue catfish ever caught weighed 143 pounds! 

The angler responsible for this particular catch is Nick Anderson, of Greeneville, North Carolina. Kerr caught the specimen on June 18, 2011, at John Kerr Reservoir. It is also known to locals as Buggs Island Lake. The lake sits along the North Carolina and Virginia border. The fish’s length was 57 inches, and its girth was 47 inches.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Thomsonmg2000, cropped and adjusted by Kostka Martin / CC0 – License / Original