The Largest Walleye Ever Caught in Tennessee Was as Big as a River Otter

Tennessee has a wide assortment of lakes and rivers that people use to catch fish. From the Mississippi River on the western border of the state to the massive Cherokee Reservoir, the state is brimming with fishing areas. Walleyes are one of the most popular game fish that people pursue in this region. Learn about the largest walleye ever caught in Tennessee and find out where it was caught, how long the record has stood, and how it compares in size to a river otter!

About Walleye Fish

The walleye goes by a few other names including the yellow pickerel or yellow pike. They are members of the family Percidae, the perch family. Usually, they grow between 2.2 and 2.8 feet long, and they can often weigh up to 20 pounds. The fish can grow larger and heavier, though.  

Their scientific name is Sander vitreus, the latter part of the name referring to the fish’s eyes. These fish have pearlescent eyes that come from a layer of pigment within the organs. That pigment layer is called the tapetum lucidum, and it helps the fish see in conditions with poor light.

This species is like other perch. They are ray-finned fish with a dorsal fin divided into two portions. The fins have some dark blotches or streaks. Walleyes usually have a dark green color on the top that turns into a golden color on the sides. Oftentimes, they have several dark saddles that run the length of their bodies. Their bellies are a plain white color.

Why Are Walleyes Popular Game Fish?

Walleyes are popular game fish in about every area in which they are available to catch. Several reasons exist for why these are such popular game fish, including:

• The fish can grow quite large, and a big fish is always fun to catch.
• Walleyes are susceptible to pursuing numerous types of bait.
• The fish are difficult to catch in some cases.
• Walleyes taste good, so people catch them to eat them.

These are the greatest reasons why walleyes are a popular game fish these days. People love to catch sizeable fish, especially those that they can cook afterward.

What Was the Largest Walleye Caught in Tennessee?

The largest walleye ever caught in Tennessee weighed 25 pounds, measured 41 inches long, and had a girth of 29 inches. A man named Mabry Harper caught the fish on August 2, 1960, at Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee. The walleye is arguably the largest ever caught in the world.

The story behind this record-setting fish is very interesting and somewhat controversial. Perhaps the most unusual part of the story, though, is that the angler was not trying to catch a record-setting fish at the time. Instead, he was just fishing for dinner. As the story goes, Mr. Mabry Harper was going to simply eat the fish before his wife convinced him to have it measured. After the measurements were taken, the family did consume the fish.

The Controversy of the Record-Setting Fish

While that seems like an open-and-shut case, people raised several concerns about the fish’s supposed size. Fortunately, the Harpers took several pictures of the fish that helped their claim. One picture showed the fish’s head measurement. Others showed the size of the fish compared to a vehicle, Mr. Harper holding the fish, and Mrs. Harper holding the fish by a car.

Also, people wondered about the state of the scales used to measure the fish. Fortunately, a Tennessee game warden by the name of James Spurling oversaw the fish’s measurements. He provided an affidavit about the fish’s size and the scale used to weigh it. As it turns out, the scale measured 4 ounces heavy. As a result, the fish’s weight dropped from 25 pounds 4 ounces to simply 25 pounds.

However, the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame temporarily disqualified the record. Eventually, the body decided that there was not enough evidence to overturn the record. That photo evidence was particularly helpful in this case. So, Mr. Harper’s 25-pound walleye remains the largest ever caught in Tennessee.  

Where is Old Hickory Lake?

The Old Hickory Lake is a reservoir formed by the impoundment of the Cumberland River. The lake is mostly located in the north-central part of the state. Old Hickory Lake is one of the largest lakes in Tennessee, and it has about 22,500 acres of surface area.

Since the lake is so long, it is located in five counties, including:

• Smith County
• Trousdale County
• Wilson County
• Davison County
• Summer County

Old Hickory Lake is a very popular destination for people that live in the state as well as visitors. People come to the lake for swimming, picnicking, hiking, boating, and fishing. The lake has many other types of fish living in its borders aside from walleye. Some of the other fish that people catch in this body of water include:

• Striped bass
• Sauger
• Channel catfish
• Spotted bass
• Largemouth bass
• White crappy
• Bluegill

These are just a handful of the fish available for people to catch in the lake. Seeing this list, it should be no mystery why it is such a popular destination for anglers, especially those looking to catch a record-setting fish.

Where is Old Hickory Lake Located on a Map?

Old Hickory Lake is a reservoir formed by the impoundment of the Cumberland River. The lake is mostly located in the north-central part of the state and spans five counties. Old Hickory Lake is one of the largest lakes in Tennessee with about 22,500 acres of surface area.

The Record Walleye vs. a River Otter?

The largest walleye ever caught in Tennessee weighed 25 pounds and measured 41 inches long. The original comparison from the start of this article was the size of a river otter. So, how big is an average river otter, and how does it compare to the record-setting walleye?

Well, the average river otter weighs about 20 to 30 pounds and measures about 3 to 4 feet long. So, this exceptionally large walleye was about the same size as this mammal!

The largest walleye in Tennessee was caught while the angler was pursuing a tasty dinner. Not only did he get that, but he also set a record for the largest walleye in the state. While the record was controversial, the great amount of evidence in the case helped it stay standing. Of course, it’s always possible that some lucky fisher will reel in a monster walleye at Old Hickory Lake or one of the many others in the area.  

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/FedBul