APRIL 30, 2014 --The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources today confirmed the capture of the largest and longest blue catfish in state history, taken on the Ohio River below the Robert C. Byrd Lock & Dam near Apple Grove, W.Va., by Austin Hoffman, of Milton. Hoffman caught the 47.75-inch, 52.95-pound fish using cut bait on April 26, 2014. The catch surpassing the record for length and weigh set by Mark A. Foster, of Saint Albans, who took a 43.9-inch, 44.5-pound blue in 2012.

Anglers who believe that they've caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2014 Fishing Regulations brochure. The brochure also outlines the procedure to follow for reporting their catch. This information is also available online at www.wvdnr.gov.

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