Illinois State Record Blue Catfish: 124 lb
The Illinois state record blue catfish weighed 124 lb. It was caught in 2005 from Mississippi River in Madison County, and the Illinois DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 21 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Mississippi River in Madison County. We don't carry a water-quality grade for it: our index covers standing lakes with enough EPA Water Quality Portal samples to score, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Illinois lakes we do grade instead.
Blue Catfish records by state
Illinois ranks 2 of 5 among the states in our index for record blue catfish. Missouri holds the heaviest at 130 lb, set in 2010.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri | 130 lb | 2010 | Missouri River |
| 2 | Illinois (this page) | 124 lb | 2005 | Mississippi River |
| 3 | Iowa | 105 lb | 2025 | Missouri River (Council Bluffs to state line) |
| 4 | Indiana | 104 lb | 1999 | Ohio River |
| 5 | Ohio | 101 lb 2 oz | 2024 | Twelve Mile Creek (Ohio River) |
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 Illinois
At 124 lb, the blue catfish is the heaviest of the 19 standing Illinois records. 14 Illinois records have stood longer, the blue catfish mark dating to 2005.