Illinois State Record Flathead Catfish: 81 lb 6 oz
The Illinois state record flathead catfish weighed 81 lb 6 oz. It was caught in 2005 from Sangchris Lake in Christian County, and the Illinois DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 21 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Sangchris Lake in Christian 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.
Flathead Catfish records by state
Illinois ranks 1 of 10 among the states in our index for record flathead catfish. No state we track has produced a heavier one.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois (this page) | 81 lb 6 oz | 2005 | Sangchris Lake |
| 2 | Iowa | 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 Illinois
1 of Illinois's 19 standing records are heavier than the 81 lb 6 oz flathead catfish — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 14 Illinois records have stood longer, the flathead catfish mark dating to 2005.