Bob Wise, Governor
Ed Hamrick, Director

News Release
For release: January 6, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Bret Preston , Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

State Record Walleye Caught

  A state record walleye was caught by Mr. Jerry Rose of Clendenin, according to Ed Hamrick, Director of the Division of Natural Resources. Mr. Rose caught the 30.87-inch, 18.97-pound fish from the Elk River in Clay County on December 31, 2004 , using a live shiner for bait. Rose's catch establishes a new West Virginia record for weight. The previous weight record for walleye was a 17.82-pound fish caught by Mr. Steve Skeens from the Kanawha River in 2003. The length record of 35 inches for a walleye caught at Kanawha Falls by Mr. Fred Cline still stands. Mr. Rose released the walleye back into the Elk River after the catch was verified by a DNR biologist.

  Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2005 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**