A Pennsylvania fishing record was broken last month thanks to angler Michael Wherley reeling in a massive catfish. (Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission)
Lancaster County, Pa.
A Pennsylvania angler caught a massive catfish from the Susquehanna River and set a new state record in return.
According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, angler Michael Wherley was out with a friend on a 16-foot boat last month in Lancaster County when he was able to catch the record-setting fish.
The flathead catfish weighed in at 66 pounds and 6 ounces, according to state officials, breaking the record by nearly 10 pounds.
The previous mark was set in 2020 when an angler caught a catfish weighing 56 pounds and 3 ounces.
Wherley shared with officials that it took him almost 30 minutes to reel in the record-setting fish.
“It was a little bit crazy. When it finally came to the surface, all I could think was that it was humungous!” Wherley said. “When I got the fish next to the boat, I stuck both hands in its mouth and pulled as hard as I could to bring it aboard.”