Where was the Minnesota record flathead catfish caught?

St. Croix River, in Washington County, Minnesota.

How long has the Minnesota flathead catfish record stood?

56 years. The record was set in 1970 and remains the standing Minnesota mark as of 2026.

Which state has the biggest record flathead catfish?

Of the 10 states we cover with a flathead catfish record, Illinois holds the heaviest at 81 lb 6 oz (2005). Minnesota ranks 7 of 10 at 70 lb.

Pink and orange afterglow over the treeline on Slim Lake after sunset

Minnesota Flathead Catfish Record 2026: 70 lb

Q: What is the Minnesota state record flathead catfish?

The Minnesota state record flathead catfish weighed 70 lb. It was caught in 1970 from St. Croix River in Washington County by Mike Manley, and is recognized by the Minnesota DNR.

The Minnesota state record flathead catfish weighed 70 lb. It was caught in 1970 from St. Croix River in Washington County by Mike Manley, and the Minnesota DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 56 years later.

Weight

70 lb

Length

Not recorded

Year set

1970

56 years standing

Water

St. Croix River

Washington County

Where the record came from

The record came from St. Croix River in Washington County. It has no water-quality readings on this site: the lake index covers standing lakes with EPA Water Quality Portal samples, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Minnesota lakes with readings instead.

Flathead Catfish records by state

Minnesota ranks 7 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	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 (this page)	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 Minnesota

1 of Minnesota's 16 standing records are heavier than the 70 lb flathead catfish — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 7 Minnesota records have stood longer, the flathead catfish mark dating to 1970.

Minnesota lakes that hold flathead catfish

6 Minnesota lakes are documented to hold flathead catfish, ranked here on nutrient and algae readings.

Lake St Croix — Pierce County Pool — Washington County Pool of Lake St Croix — Washington County Byllesby Lake — Dakota County Pepin Lake — Pepin County Spring Lake — Dakota County

All Minnesota flathead catfish lakes →

Other Minnesota records

Walleye 17 lb 8 oz Northern Pike 45 lb 12 oz Muskellunge 54 lb Largemouth Bass 8 lb 15 oz Smallmouth Bass 8 lb Lake Trout 43 lb 8 oz Brown Trout 16 lb 12 oz Rainbow Trout 17 lb 6 oz Brook Trout 6 lb 5.6 oz Channel Catfish 38 lb Black Crappie 5 lb Bluegill 2 lb 13 oz Yellow Perch 3 lb 4 oz Lake Sturgeon 94 lb 4 oz Tiger Muskie 34 lb 12 oz

All 16 Minnesota state records in one table →

Record compiled from the official Minnesota DNR angling records. Updated 2026. New records are certified year-round — check the agency page before treating any figure here as the current mark. LakeQuality is independent and not affiliated with the Minnesota DNR.