Missouri State Record Flathead Catfish: 77 lb 8 oz
The Missouri state record flathead catfish weighed 77 lb 8 oz. It was caught in 2003 from Montrose Lake by Scott L. Brown, and the Missouri Department of Conservation still recognizes it as the state mark 23 years later.
Where the record came from
Montrose Lake is one of the Missouri 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.
FMontrose Lake — Henry County, MO. See the full water-quality report →Flathead Catfish records by state
Missouri ranks 4 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 (this page) | 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 Missouri
1 of Missouri's 20 standing records are heavier than the 77 lb 8 oz flathead catfish — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 13 Missouri records have stood longer, the flathead catfish mark dating to 2003.