New State Record Blue Catfish
at TFFC
January 20, 2004 -- The cat is now out of the bag. Cody Mullennix
of Howe, Texas caught a new state rod and reel record blue catfish
from Lake Texoma Friday, January 16. The leviathan weighed 121
pounds, 8 ounces, and was 58 inches in length, shattering the
previous rod and reel record of 100 pounds also caught from Lake
Texoma in 2000. Mullennix was fishing from the bank with a surf
rod and 20-pound test line using shad for bait when he caught
the giant fish.
Mullennix
donated the fish to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens,
where it is doing just fine, according to hatchery manager Jim
Matthews. The catfish is acclimating to its new environment and
is being treated for stress—standard procedure for new fish
at TFFC. Exhibits curator Genie Hilton hopes to have the record
catfish ready for public display within two weeks. Currently the
fish is isolated in its own tank and responding well to treatment.
Visitors are able to view the catfish during the regularly scheduled
tram tour Tues.-Friday at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and
2:30 p.m. and Sunday 2:30 p.m.
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is an innovative
aquatic nature center and hatchery complex operated by Texas Parks
and Wildlife located 75 miles SE of Dallas on FM 2495 four miles
east of Athens.
Attractions include 300,000 gallons of aquariums,
daily dive show and on-site fishing. Hours are Tues.-Sat. 9am-4pm
and Sunday 1-4pm. adults, $5.50, seniors $4.50, children 4-12
$3.50. For information go on-line at www.tpwd.state.tx.us and
click on fishing or call the Center at 903-676-2277.
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