Iowa State Record Flathead Catfish: 81 lb
The Iowa state record flathead catfish weighed 81 lb. It was caught in 1958 from Ellis Lake by Joe Blaze, and the Iowa DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 68 years later.
Where the record came from
Ellis Lake is one of the Iowa lakes we grade. It holds a Grade F water-quality score today, based on clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a samples from the EPA Water Quality Portal — a useful check on whether the water that produced a record fish still fishes well.
FEllis Lake — Lucas County, IA. See the full water-quality report →Flathead Catfish records by state
Iowa ranks 2 of 10 among the states in our index for record flathead catfish. Illinois holds the heaviest at 81 lb 6 oz, set in 2005.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | 81 lb 6 oz | 2005 | Sangchris Lake |
| 2 | Iowa (this page) | 81 lb | 1958 | Ellis Lake |
| 3 | Indiana | 79 lb 8 oz | 1966 | White River |
| 4 | Missouri | 77 lb 8 oz | 2003 | Montrose Lake |
| 5 | Ohio | 76 lb | 1972 | Piedmont Lake |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 74 lb 5 oz | 2001 | Wisconsin River |
| 7 | Minnesota | 70 lb | 1970 | St. Croix River |
| 8 | South Dakota | 67 lb 8 oz | 2022 | Missouri River |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 66 lb 6 oz | 2023 | Susquehanna River |
| 10 | Michigan | 52 lb | 2014 | Barron Lake |
Each figure comes from that state's own fisheries agency. Agencies differ on what they certify — some recognize catch-and-release length records alongside weight — so treat this as a comparison of standing certified weights, not a single national list.
How it ranks inside Iowa
1 of Iowa's 19 standing records are heavier than the 81 lb flathead catfish — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. It is also the oldest record on the books, unbeaten since 1958.