Ohio Flathead Catfish Record 2026: 76 lb
The Ohio state record flathead catfish weighed 76 lb and measured 53 inches. It was caught in 1972 from Piedmont Lake by Dale C. Yoho, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife still recognizes it as the state mark 54 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Piedmont Lake. 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 Ohio lakes with readings instead.
Flathead Catfish records by state
Ohio ranks 5 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 (this page) | 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 Ohio
1 of Ohio's 21 standing records are heavier than the 76 lb 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 1972.