Indiana State Record Flathead Catfish: 79 lb 8 oz
The Indiana state record flathead catfish weighed 79 lb 8 oz. It was caught in 1966 from White River in Lawrence County by Glen T. Simpson, and the Indiana DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 60 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from White River in Lawrence 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 Indiana lakes we do grade instead.
Flathead Catfish records by state
Indiana ranks 3 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 | 81 lb | 1958 | Ellis Lake |
| 3 | Indiana (this page) | 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 Indiana
1 of Indiana's 21 standing records are heavier than the 79 lb 8 oz 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 1966.